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An Indiana woman, along with her boyfriend, faces grave charges after her 3-year-old daughter sustained life-threatening injuries, leaving the child in critical condition at a hospital.
Kami Nelson, 23, explained to authorities that she thought her daughter’s severe injuries occurred due to “walking into door handles and similar objects” during episodes of sleepwalking, according to the Star Press.
Police responded to an urgent call at Nelson’s residence on March 25, discovering the child unresponsive on the floor. Officers reported the young girl was “covered in bruises over much of her naked body,” appearing to be the victim of a severe beating. She was immediately transported to Henry County Hospital, and subsequently airlifted to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where her condition was described as “critical, with her injuries remaining life-threatening.”
Medical professionals identified “non-accidental” injuries, including lacerations to her colon and lower intestine, alongside internal bleeding.
A subsequent medical report highlighted “acute” kidney damage necessitating dialysis and identified fractures in her nasal cavity and jaw, all indicative of child abuse, according to the doctors.
As police interviewed Nelson and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Lee O’Donnell Jr, the couple eventually began to blame each other for the girl’s injuries. O’Donnell said that he had been unable to find employment because he was afraid to leave his own 3-year-old daughter in Nelson’s care. He said he didn’t want to discuss what he’d seen “because I don’t want to end up homeless,” the affidavit said.
Nelson was arrested on March 25, and O’Donnell was arrested on Friday. They have been both charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and are being held on $191,000 bonds.