Bronx Babysitter Charged With Baby’s Death After ‘Wrestling’ And Stepping On Child

A Bronx babysitter has been charged in the death of one of the children under her care, according to the New York Daily News.

The Daily News says the Bronx babysitter, identified as Athena Skeeter, was charged with manslaughter and child endangerment after she admitted to police that she was “wrestling” with a 20-month-old child in her care, Cardell Williamson. Skeeter also said she stepped on the child numerous times:

“‘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.'”

The paper’s account of the alleged actions committed by the Bronx babysitter continue:

“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.'”

CBS New York said the boy was burned when first responders arrived at the scene:

“Police responding to a 911 call found Cardell lying on a bed, struggling to breathe. Officers administered CPR and rushed the boy to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, where he died.

“The medical examiner said the cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma to the boy’s head and torso. A source told 1010 WINS’ Roger Stern the child was also severely scalded.”

As disturbing as the facts surrounding the Bronx babysitter’s alleged actions are, it is far from the first time a child has allegedly died at the hands of a babysitter. The Inquisitr previously reported on a child who died in a “bear hug” from a babysitter earlier this summer.

What do you think should happen if the Bronx babysitter is found guilty of manslaughter? Tell us in the comments section below.

[Image via Flickr Creative Commons]