Michael Schwartz /for New York Daily News
A Bronx woman who ran a day care out of her apartment called the abuse that led to the death of a baby in her care: 'wrestling.'
Athena Skeeter, 40, was charged with manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of little 20-month-old Cardell Williamson.
'I was wrestling with Cardell,' Skeeter told police, according to court documents. 'I flipped him on the bed. ... I lifted him by one arm and one leg and threw him to the floor.'
After Cardell landed on the hardwood floor, Skeeter allegedly told police she stepped on the toddler's stomach three times, but argued that she 'didn't use full force.'
'I then threw my son on top of Cardell and stepped on his stomach three times,' she told cops. 'Cardell acted different after that.'
After being stomped on numerous times, the child threw up and his head kept tilting, Skeeter told police.
'He couldn't walk on his own,' Skeeter told cops. 'I put him in the bathtub and put cold water on his face.'
Skeeter told police she left the bathroom to get a chair and when she returned, Williamson's head was in the now steaming-hot water.
'Cardell was unresponsive and had burns on his arm and face,' she continued. 'My mother was in her room the whole time. I was in my room with the boys playing.'
I then threw my son on top of Cardell and stepped on his stomach three times. Cardell acted different after that.
Responding cops rushed the boy to Bronx Lebanon Hospital in their squad car, but doctors were unable to save him. The city's medical examiner ruled Williamson's death a homicide.
The boy's father, Carlyle Williamson, said his son came home before with bruises and a split lip but that the day care operator always had an excuse.
'I hope she gets charged to the fullest extent of the law,' he said. 'She took a presence from my life that will never be replaced.'
A representative for the NYC Administration for Children's Services said the agency is investigating.
One neighbor was taken aback by the extent of the alleged abuse.
'It's sad that something like this could happen,' Robert Jones, 34, who lives across the hall from the day care. 'I can't even comprehend how somebody could do something like this.'
Skeeter appeared before a judge in Bronx Criminal Court and was held without bail. She will return to court Aug. 28.
cnolan@nydailynews.com
Posted by Unknown on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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