13-Year-Old NY Babysitter Charged with Murder of 2-Year-Old

YORKVILLE, N.Y. (CBS/WTVH) Police charged a Whitesboro, N.Y. teenager with second-degree murder Monday after the 2-year-old girl he was babysitting on Friday was found dead,.

The 13-year-old boy pleaded not guilty in Floyd Town Court where he was held without bail awaiting a hearing on Friday, said State Police Capt. Mark Lincoln during a news conference.

According to WTVH, the boy is accused of hitting "family friend" Melissa Calhoun in the face with his hand, causing her to hit her head on the floor and a table. Investigators believe he then slammed Melissa's head into a refrigerator door and proceeded to sexually assault her.

When the girl's mother, Irene Calhoun, returned home at around 1 a.m., she checked on her daughter who seemed to be unharmed before going to sleep. Saturday morning Irene immediately called 911 when she found her daughter to be unresponsive.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be internal bleeding stemming from blows to the back of her head.

Oneinda County District Attorney Scott McNamara told WTVH the murder charge was filed so the teen could be tried in criminal court instead of family court. Defense attorney Richard Bach submitted the not guilty plea for his client.

If convicted, the boy could serve a maximum of 9 years to life in prison and a minimum penalty of five years in prison.