A woman charged with child abuse in Grand Rapids last month is set to face trial.
Brooklynne Davis, 24, has decided to forgo her preliminary hearing on Tuesday, allowing her case to proceed to trial.
Davis contacted law enforcement regarding an incident at an apartment located in the 500 block of Eastern Avenue SE at approximately 5:20 p.m. on August 22.
Davis, a mother of three living in the apartment, reported the tragic news of her toddler’s death.
Officers discovered a 19-month-old baby girl at the residence who could not be saved. Authorities on site noted that she looked “extremely malnourished,” with her skin drawn tight, making “all her bones visible.”
Police report that her weight at the time of her passing was just 13 pounds.
Court documents indicate that she was experiencing what seemed to be a serious, untreated diaper rash accompanied by open sores.
As police tried to help the young girl, other first responders observed that her twin brother was weak and unable to lift his head.
According to police, he was taken to the hospital and is currently in critical condition.
A young boy, just 8 years old, was discovered residing in that location. Police reported that, despite not having any urgent medical needs, he was placed in the care of Child Protective Services because of the home’s conditions.
Authorities discovered evidence of mistreatment and severe neglect within the residence. The area was described as “unclean,” infested with lice, bedbugs, and various other pests. The court documents indicate that the bathtub contained murky water with a film on the surface and a potent smell.
Davis acknowledged that the children occasionally went 14 hours without a diaper change or food. According to court documents, she mentioned that she typically consumed a lot of alcohol and browsed her phone while the kids were in their room.
Davis informed authorities that she placed the twins in bed at approximately 8 p.m. on August 21. She looked in on them again at 10 a.m. the next day. Upon checking, she noted that the baby girl was peacefully asleep, so she decided to leave her undisturbed.
Davis reported that she checked on the baby again after five to five and a half hours and noticed she was cold to the touch.
Davis contacted law enforcement. She informed dispatch that she discovered her daughter deceased that morning, but when questioned again, she stated it was just one hour prior to her call.
Dispatch received the call at approximately 5:21 p.m. Authorities report that this occurred two and a half hours after Davis claimed she discovered her daughter deceased.
An autopsy was conducted on the girl by the Kent County Medical Examiner. Documents reveal that her death was caused by starvation and malnutrition, and it has been classified as a homicide.
Davis faces serious charges, including felony murder and first-degree child abuse following his arrest. She is still at the Kent County Correctional Facility.