A Hempstead woman was indicted for allegedly slamming her toddler daughter into a concrete wall at their apartment complex last month, causing serious injuries to the child’s skull and clavicle.
On March 9 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Chantel Barnes, screaming with blood on her clothes, entered the hallway of her apartment building carrying her 21-month-old daughter. She allegedly began to fling the child in circles, striking the child into a concrete wall.
Moments later, when the child’s father returned home from work, he found the toddler injured on the hallway floor and called police with the help of another family member.
After the alleged incident, the defendant fled the scene on foot and was later found walking the streets.
The child was taken to Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center and treated for a skull fracture, clavicle fracture and other internal injuries. She was released into the care of her father on March 20.
Barnes, 28, was arrested by detectives with the Nassau County Police Department’s Special Victims Squad and arraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty on April 23. Charges included Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree (both Class B violent felonies); Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (a Class A misdemeanor).
The defendant pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $110,000 cash, $200,000 bond and $1 million partially secured bond. A stay away order of protection was also issued.
“A 21-month-old toddler girl was left with serious injuries after a violent and chaotic attack, allegedly committed by her own mother,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Screaming that she had killed her child, this defendant ran into the hallway, allegedly aggressively swinging the toddler into a wall, slamming her head and face repeatedly. After medical intervention, the little girl has incredibly made a full recovery. Violent crimes against vulnerable children are unthinkable, especially at the hands of parents who should be the most trusted adults in a child’s life. We will prosecute these cases and protect our children.”
Barnes is due back in court on May 19. If convicted, she could face up to 25 years in prison.