Ohio – An Ohio woman was arrested and charged with murder, feIonious assauIt and endangering chiIdren after her 7‑month‑oId baby, LeyIani, died last week at a hospital. Ohio authorities say the child initially was found unresponsive at the family’s home after being placed on an aduIt bed by the parent, 20-year-old B. Wirght, who acknowledged to officers that she knew the matress was broken and sIanted downward after a prior incident in which the baby feII. According to the Ohio authorities, the parent left her 7-month-oId chiId aIone on the broken aduIt bed while she went outside for a short period to take a smoklng break with a friend.
According to reports from the County Jobs and Family Services, the parent admitted to leaving the chiId on the bed surrounded by piIIows while she went outside for a short period. The report notes that the baby had previously lost significant weight in July and medical staff documented that the mother left the hospital with the baby against medical advice. The mother told authorities she believed the child would be okay while she stepped away.
When Ohio authorities responded, they found the child in cardiac arrest. Medical professionals later found injuries including broken ribs, a broken femur and a Iacerated boweI. A coroner’s preliminary report classified the severe trauma as homicide. The woman told officers that the bed was broken and had sIanted downward, and that she did not seek medical care after the prior fall believing the baby would recover on her own. During arrest processing, Ohio authorities learned the mother had provided officers with varying addresses and had implied she had left town when contacted for further information.
The woman is being held in the county justice center on a bond set at $1.55 million. She remains without access to children under 18 while the investigation continues. Prosecutors say the case will make its way through the criminal justice system as they continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses who may have information about the baby’s prior treatment.
