By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
Investigators say the mother of little Marchella Pierce battered the malnourished child with a belt and a plastic video casing for late night snacking, then force fed her sleeping pills, The New York Daily News reported.
Brooklyn prosecutor Tracey Downing told the court that after Carlotta Pierce, 30, tied her fragile 4-year-old daughter to her bed, she forced sleeping pills down the child's throat to stop her "wild" behavior - scrounging for food.
Marchella weighed a sickly 18 pounds at the time she was found dead, police said. The initial autopsy on Marchella was deemed inconclusive, which is why, according to Pierce's court-appointed attorney, George Sheinberg, that his client has not been charged with homicide.
"The autopsy did not indicate any kind of trauma ... at this point it is extremely inconclusive," said Sheinberg.
However, a witness told Brooklyn police that on Sept. 1, the day before Marchella died, Pierce grew angry with her and tied her down to the bed for raiding the fridge and leaving a mess.
The witness said Pierce "repeatedly beat the child," and one of the items she allegedly used, a video case, was found by police in the garbage can at the filthy apartment.
The criminal complaint against the cold-hearted mother stated that Marchella suffered bruises from her head to her legs, which were most likely induced by blunt force trauma, but it was the girl's "state of malnutrition" that put her at "a grave risk of death," the complaint charged.
Pierce, clad in a peach-colored hooded sweatshirt and jeans, smiled at her mom and brother when she was led into the courtroom. She has maintained her innocence, and told reporters Friday, "I did not kill my baby!"
The judge ordered Pierce held in lieu of a $300,000 bond and charged her with assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. Police sources told CBS NEWS that an upgrade in charges was possible as the investigation continues.
The News Chronicle reported that Marchella weighed 1lb, 4.6oz when she was born. Her twin died at birth.
The Black Urban Times
Investigators say the mother of little Marchella Pierce battered the malnourished child with a belt and a plastic video casing for late night snacking, then force fed her sleeping pills, The New York Daily News reported.
Brooklyn prosecutor Tracey Downing told the court that after Carlotta Pierce, 30, tied her fragile 4-year-old daughter to her bed, she forced sleeping pills down the child's throat to stop her "wild" behavior - scrounging for food.
Marchella weighed a sickly 18 pounds at the time she was found dead, police said. The initial autopsy on Marchella was deemed inconclusive, which is why, according to Pierce's court-appointed attorney, George Sheinberg, that his client has not been charged with homicide.
"The autopsy did not indicate any kind of trauma ... at this point it is extremely inconclusive," said Sheinberg.
However, a witness told Brooklyn police that on Sept. 1, the day before Marchella died, Pierce grew angry with her and tied her down to the bed for raiding the fridge and leaving a mess.
The witness said Pierce "repeatedly beat the child," and one of the items she allegedly used, a video case, was found by police in the garbage can at the filthy apartment.
The criminal complaint against the cold-hearted mother stated that Marchella suffered bruises from her head to her legs, which were most likely induced by blunt force trauma, but it was the girl's "state of malnutrition" that put her at "a grave risk of death," the complaint charged.
Pierce, clad in a peach-colored hooded sweatshirt and jeans, smiled at her mom and brother when she was led into the courtroom. She has maintained her innocence, and told reporters Friday, "I did not kill my baby!"
The judge ordered Pierce held in lieu of a $300,000 bond and charged her with assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. Police sources told CBS NEWS that an upgrade in charges was possible as the investigation continues.
The News Chronicle reported that Marchella weighed 1lb, 4.6oz when she was born. Her twin died at birth.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.