Minnesota teen charged with murdering girlfriend's toddler
MINNEAPOLIS -- A 17-year-old boy was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter, reports CBS Minnesota.
Sophia O'Neill died on June 10, after she was in the care of the suspect, according to police. The little girl stopped breathing at about noon and was rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Minneapolis teen allegedly told police that while babysitting Sophia the night before her death, it was "so overwhelming to hear her cry and scream" that he "kinda snapped on her." Police say the teen kicked the baby in the back two times, and then later when the baby was still crying he allegedly stepped on her back.
That morning of Sophia's death, the teen knocked on a neighbor's door and asked if he could use a phone, according to a criminal complaint. He said that Sophia seemed sick, and that when she awoke from a nap, she was staggering and almost fell.
After leaving with the phone, the teen returned five to 10 minutes later with the victim in his arms, and asked if he could get a ride to the hospital, the complaint said.
The neighbor called 911 after noticing that the baby's skin was cold, clammy and appeared to be blue. The neighbor then performed CPR on the baby.
Emergency personnel transported Sophia to a hospital where she died that evening. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined Sophia's death was the result of the multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her torso region.
She suffered significant injuries to her torso, including massive damage to her kidneys, pancreas and liver. She also had eight rib fractures.
The teen, who was charged with murder, is being held at a juvenile detention center.