A Georgia mother is facing multiple charges, including murder, in the death of her 3-month-old baby after she let the infant fall to the ground during a fight with another woman.
Karen Lashun Harrison, 26, was involved in a fight with another woman on July 19 at a parking lot outside a cosmetics store in Moultrie, the Moultrie Police Department said according to WALB.
BREAKING: The altercation between the two women led to the 3-month-old falling onto the pavement. This is a developing story and we will update as more information becomes available. https://t.co/OAd7iBhp4E
— WALB News 10 (@WALBNews10) July 22, 2019
Lt. Freddie Williams from the police department said that during the fight, the baby fell from the mother’s arms to the pavement, WALB reported.
The baby was taken to the Colquitt Regional Medical Center on July 20 for a head injury, according to the station.
The baby later died.
“Video of the incident reveals that the two engaged in a physical altercation and the baby falls from Harrison’s arms to the pavement,” a police statement said according to the Union Recorder.
ABC-affiliate WTXL shared video surveillance footage of the altercation. It was provided by an employee from the cosmetics store outside of which the fight had taken place. (Warning: The footage may be disturbing to viewers)
Police said that when Harrison presented to the hospital with her baby on July 20, she said that the baby had fallen at home. That turned out not to be the case, WTXL reported.
Harrison told police that the baby got the head injury by having fallen from the arms of a family friend—26-year-old Carneata Clark. Clark provided police with a similar statement.
“We investigated the incident and determined the baby did not receive his injuries how it was reported,” Williams said according to WTXL.
“This is very disturbing, that two adults would fight in public place,” Williams added. “Especially while holding a three-month-old child in her arms.”
Harrison is facing multiple charges including felony murder, first- and second-degree cruelty to children, simple battery, and affray (fighting).
Clark, the family friend, was charged with false statements and writings, and obstruction of an officer.
Meanwhile, the other woman whom Harrison had gotten into a fight with was arrested but has not been charged. Her name also has not been released.
Police say that they are continuing their investigation and that they may arrest more people according to WALB.
An autopsy will be performed on the baby’s body.
Baby Falls From Cruise Ship, Dies
In related news, a 19-month-old infant fell to her death earlier this month from a cruise ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The girl, Chloe Wiegand, was said to have slipped from the grasp of her grandfather, Salvatore Anello. She fell from the 11th floor of the Freedom of Seas cruise ship, which is operated by Royal Caribbean. The fall, estimated to have been at about 150 feet, took place on July 7.
1-year-old daughter of Indiana police officer dies after falling off cruise ship in Puerto Rico https://t.co/qMNVMj52hz #LivePD #LivePDNation #Prayers pic.twitter.com/NPncT79U9H
— Blue Alert (@BlueAlertUs) July 8, 2019
A lawyer for the family of the girl said that Anello had placed her on railing without knowing there was no glass in the room, which is a kids’ pool known as the “H20 Zone.”
“The grandfather is with Chloe, they’re playing and there’s this wall of all windows, it’s all glass windows,” he added.
He added: “Chloe used to love to bang on the glass at her brother’s ice hockey games, so her grandfather takes her over to the windows, he thinks it’s all glass. There’s a wood railing along there, he puts her on that thinking she’s going to bang on the glass and it’s going to be great, and the next thing he knows, she’s gone.”
The family shared a photo of the open window that she fell through on July 9. The Daily Mail posted the new image, showing the open window, investigators, police tape, and other people. The 11th-floor window can be seen next to other windows that appear to be closed. The photos were shot by the girl’s father, who is a police officer in South Bend, Indiana.
“We are deeply saddened by [the] tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family,” Royal Caribbean Cruises told CNN in a statement. “We’ve made our Care Team available to assist the family with any resources they need. Out of respect for their privacy, we do not plan to comment further on the incident.”
Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
