Deputies: ‘Stressed-Out Mom’ Killed 2-Year-Old Daughter
Authorities claim Amanda Berard slammed the child onto its back, then went to sleep unaware that the child was injured. (Photo by Getty Images)
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ORLANDO (CBS Tampa) – A Florida woman accused of killing her 2-year-old girl told police she “was dealing with a stressful day” at work, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
Amanda Berard, 23, grabbed her young daughter, Aaliyah Seymour, by the arm when she kept squirming during a diaper change last Friday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office report.
Berard then “forcefully placed her on her back,” then the girl’s hid hit the floor, reads the report. The mother told officers she comforted her crying daughter until the girl fell asleep.
“Berard advised she did not think her daughter was affected by hitting her head on the floor,” wrote deputies.
Her roommate, Tikarra Jackson, returned early Saturday morning to care for Aaliyah and her own son. Berard then went back to work. About two hours later, Jackson told authorities, her son woke her to say Aaliyah collapsed on the floor and he had picked her up to put her on the living room couch.
When Jackson checked on the girl, she was unresponsive. After unsuccessful attempts to revive the child, Jackson called 911. The baby was declared dead at the hospital.
Berard is facing second-degree murder charges. An autopsy found a fracture on the back of the toddler’s skull.
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