Ronin
6/01/2004 7:04am,
Sometimes, I just don't know...
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2004/06/01/481002.html
Tue, June 1, 2004
'Brutalized' tot dead
Cops say baby beaten over 24-hour period
By CARY CASTAGNA, POLICE REPORTER
15-year-old's custody of child legal
A 16-month-old baby girl was brutally beaten for hours in a River Heights condo before dying of her injuries in what police call the worst assault on a child they've ever seen. The tot's 15-year-old mother has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, while the teen's 21-year-old boyfriend has been charged with second-degree murder.
"I wouldn't call this child beaten -- I would call this child brutalized," said Sgt. Kathy Hodgins, a supervisor of the Winnipeg police child abuse unit.
"If you saw the pictures you would be vomiting right now."
The baby girl -- the city's 10th homicide victim of 2004 -- was assaulted throughout the day last Thursday in a condominium on Kenaston Boulevard, just south of Grant Avenue.
BEATEN FROM HEAD TO TOE
Police believe the fatal attack occurred over a 24-hour period.
"It may be longer," Hodgins told The Sun. "There's the appearance that all the injuries are not recent."
The tot was beaten from head to toe, suffering severe injuries about her face, head, body and legs, police said. An autopsy was conducted yesterday.
"The injuries are extensive and staggering," Hodgins said. "Every time we turn around we're being told of more."
Investigators were searching for possible weapons used in the attack. The underage mother didn't live in the residence, but she is alleged to have been present during the entire altercation, said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Shelly Glover.
The condo is owned by the mother of the teen's boyfriend.
"When she arrived home, this couple (allegedly) hid this child from her and did not attempt to treat this child or get medical attention for this poor child, who was obviously suffering," Glover said.
It's alleged the child suffered for the next two days before she died of her injuries some time early Saturday morning.
Firefighters and paramedics were called at 3:29 a.m. Saturday to the condo after receiving a call about a child who wasn't breathing. Firefighters, who arrived at the scene first, performed CPR on the child, said spokesman Robin Alford.
"At that time this child was already deceased," Glover said.
A neighbour watched in shock as a firefighter carried the infant to the ambulance.
"It just looked limp. The legs were hanging down," Mary Harrison, 58, said, adding the baby was wearing a diaper and her legs were bare.
"I didn't notice a shirt. I was too upset. All I did was say a prayer."
Alexandro Suazo was charged with second-degree murder and detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, where he was in protective custody yesterday.
The baby's mother was detained at the Manitoba Youth Centre.
Suazo was before the courts on a number of matters at the time he was arrested, including one drug charge and a count of possessing the proceeds of crime from May 2003.
He was charged with impersonation and possessing a prohibited weapon last February, but didn't show up for his most recent court appearance, on April 29, 2004. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2004/06/01/481002.html
Tue, June 1, 2004
'Brutalized' tot dead
Cops say baby beaten over 24-hour period
By CARY CASTAGNA, POLICE REPORTER
15-year-old's custody of child legal
A 16-month-old baby girl was brutally beaten for hours in a River Heights condo before dying of her injuries in what police call the worst assault on a child they've ever seen. The tot's 15-year-old mother has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, while the teen's 21-year-old boyfriend has been charged with second-degree murder.
"I wouldn't call this child beaten -- I would call this child brutalized," said Sgt. Kathy Hodgins, a supervisor of the Winnipeg police child abuse unit.
"If you saw the pictures you would be vomiting right now."
The baby girl -- the city's 10th homicide victim of 2004 -- was assaulted throughout the day last Thursday in a condominium on Kenaston Boulevard, just south of Grant Avenue.
BEATEN FROM HEAD TO TOE
Police believe the fatal attack occurred over a 24-hour period.
"It may be longer," Hodgins told The Sun. "There's the appearance that all the injuries are not recent."
The tot was beaten from head to toe, suffering severe injuries about her face, head, body and legs, police said. An autopsy was conducted yesterday.
"The injuries are extensive and staggering," Hodgins said. "Every time we turn around we're being told of more."
Investigators were searching for possible weapons used in the attack. The underage mother didn't live in the residence, but she is alleged to have been present during the entire altercation, said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Shelly Glover.
The condo is owned by the mother of the teen's boyfriend.
"When she arrived home, this couple (allegedly) hid this child from her and did not attempt to treat this child or get medical attention for this poor child, who was obviously suffering," Glover said.
It's alleged the child suffered for the next two days before she died of her injuries some time early Saturday morning.
Firefighters and paramedics were called at 3:29 a.m. Saturday to the condo after receiving a call about a child who wasn't breathing. Firefighters, who arrived at the scene first, performed CPR on the child, said spokesman Robin Alford.
"At that time this child was already deceased," Glover said.
A neighbour watched in shock as a firefighter carried the infant to the ambulance.
"It just looked limp. The legs were hanging down," Mary Harrison, 58, said, adding the baby was wearing a diaper and her legs were bare.
"I didn't notice a shirt. I was too upset. All I did was say a prayer."
Alexandro Suazo was charged with second-degree murder and detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, where he was in protective custody yesterday.
The baby's mother was detained at the Manitoba Youth Centre.
Suazo was before the courts on a number of matters at the time he was arrested, including one drug charge and a count of possessing the proceeds of crime from May 2003.
He was charged with impersonation and possessing a prohibited weapon last February, but didn't show up for his most recent court appearance, on April 29, 2004. A warrant was issued for his arrest.