BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Prosecutors say the Whitman woman who pleaded not guilty to a criminal charge Thursday in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Lyric, was caught on camera laughing at the girl as she suffered a medical episode shortly before the toddler was found unresponsive at her home last month.
Shaniqua Leonard, 29, was arrested in Boston in connection with the Dec. 28 death of Lyric, who was found unresponsive at 863 Washington St. and later died at Boston Children’s Hospital, officials said.
She pleaded not guilty Thursday to a reckless endangerment charge and is expected to return to court Friday.
Police say Leonard and the other children in the home told investigators Lyric had been acting strange recently — hitting her head against the floor and ripping out clumps of her hair.
During the investigation into Lyric’s death, officials allegedly uncovered several videos on Leonard’s phone that show the girl staring off into the distance, unable to stand or maintain her balance, and hitting her head as she falls to the ground. Court documents claim Leonard can be heard laughing at her daughter in the recordings.
Prosecutors claim the videos show that Lyric was clearly in medical distress and allege Leonard’s “failure to adequately care for and seek medical attention for Lyric Farrell caused her medical condition to deteriorate and ultimately led to her death.”
The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and will determine the manner and cause of the child’s death.
State Police Arrest Mother In Connection With Death Of Whitman Toddler pic.twitter.com/XYVSmiyWYB
— DA Tim Cruz (@PlymouthCtyDAO) January 9, 2020
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