When parents leave their children with a babysitter, a level of trust is already established. Moms and dads expect their kids to be kept safe and taken care well of while they are away. Sadly, however, some parents discover they put their faith in the wrong people.
A Michigan mom is living every parent's worst nightmare following the death of her daughter, Harmoni. Paris England left her 3-year-old with a friend, Iesha Harris, to babysit. But when England returned, her baby girl was dead.
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Harris babysat Harmoni on March 17.
That day, England left her 3-year-old daughter with Harris, 30. Harris allegedly locked Harmoni and her own child, 1, in a bedroom while she and a friend smoked weed for three hours, Fox 2 Detroit reported. When Harris returned to the bedroom, she saw that Harmoni had vomited on herself and allegedly began physically abusing her.
Harris reportedly slammed Harmoni's head against a bathtub.
“Ms. Harris allegedly admitted to police she poured scalding water on top of the 3-year-old and slammed her head against the side of the bathtub," Jennifer Douglas, Wayne County assistant prosecutor, told WDIV.
Harmoni’s mother told Fox 2 Detroit that Harmoni was in her bed and not moving when she returned home the following morning. “She was already dead from the moment that I got there,” England told the news outlet. “She was gone.”
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The 3-year-old's cause of death was revealed.
Harmoni died from blunt force trauma, according to a news release the Detroit Police Department shared via Facebook
“She was having a hard time. My baby is autistic, nonverbal,” England told WDIV. “I think she got frustrated with her and her own daughter and she slammed my baby’s head against the tub.”
Police said the babysitter confessed to the crime, according to Fox 2 Detroit.
Harris faces some serious charges.
On March 31, the Detroit Police Department announced that Harris had been charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse. "DPD investigators will remain involved with this matter and will assist the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office as it prosecutes this case," the statement read.
England, meanwhile, was completely blindsided by her daughter's death. "I would never in one million years (think) she would do this to my baby," she told Fox 2 Detroit. "Even if you think you trust the person, you can't."
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A GoFundMe account has been organized.
In the wake of Harmoni's tragic death, her mother has organized a GoFundMe campaign. "Harmoni was so full of life. Love and laughter. Biggest smile u will ever see," the bereaved mom wrote.
Thus far, more than $1,000 of the $2,000 goal has been raised.
