BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A child who Titusville police say was abused by her foster mother has died.
41-year-old Lakeisha Mitchell has already been charged with child abuse and child neglect. Police now say her charges will likely be upgraded soon.
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Mitchell is being held without bond.
According to Titusville police, the child was badly abused and neglected.
The report states that Mitchell told officers the child had been throwing a temper tantrum. Mitchell told officers she ignored the tantrum. When she went to check on the child later, the child’s eyes were closed.
Mitchell told police she believed the child was faking being unconscious.
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According to police, Mitchell then placed the child in a bathtub of water, saying that in the past, it made the child “stop faking unconsciousness.”
Police said that Mitchell told officers that she left the bathroom and when she came back she found the child on her side with her face submerged.
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According to the report, the child’s lips were blue and the child was unresponsive.
Mitchell called a friend and then 911. The child was taken to Parrish Medical Center where doctors found injuries all over the child’s body.
According to the report, the child had bruises above her left eye, bruising and swelling to the forehead and scratches to her throat.
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In court on Tuesday it was revealed that the child was brain dead, and Wednesday, police confirmed she’d passed away.
Channel 9 reached out to the Department of Children and Family Services with a list of questions regarding Mitchell’s status as a foster parent. They have yet to respond.
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