DA: Toddler survives violent attack by her mother in Nassau County
Chantel Barnes was indicted on multiple violent felony charges stemming from an incident that left the toddler with severe injuries.
Top Stories
A 21-month-old girl has recovered from a violent attack perpetrated by her own mother inside a Hempstead apartment complex, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Donnelly announced that Chantel Barnes, 28, was indicted on multiple violent felony charges stemming from an incident on March 9 that left the toddler with severe injuries.
According to prosecutors, Barnes ran into the hallway of her apartment building covered in blood screaming that she had killed her child while holding them. She then allegedly swung the child in circles, slamming them into a concrete wall.
Moments later, the child’s father come home from work to find the toddler badly injured on the hallway floor. With the help of a family member, he contacted police.
Barnes meanwhile had allegedly left and was later found walking the streets.
The child was rushed to Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, where doctors treated her for a skull fracture, clavicle fracture and other internal injuries. She was released into her father’s care.
Barnes was arrested weeks later by Nassau County Police Department’s Special Victims Squad detectives.
A grand jury charged her with attempted murder, two assault charges, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Barnes was arraigned on Thursday, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
She pleaded not guilty.
Bail was set and the court issued a stay-away order of protection.
Barnes is scheduled to return to court on May 19.
