Toledo woman found guilty for injuring baby
7/15/2008A 21-year-old Toledo woman was found guilty of child endangering Tuesday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for injuring the 8-month-old child she was baby sitting.
Crystal Barnett, of 5406 Harvest Lane, pleaded no contest to child endangering. A second charge of child endangering will be dismissed at her Aug. 12 sentencing.
Although Barnett faces up to 8 years in prison, assistant prosecutors recommended a non-binding sentence of three years to Judge Frederick McDonald.
Emergency crews responded to Barnetts Harvest Lane home on April 13 on a report of an unconscious person. The child was taken to Toledo Hospital where it was determined she had a fractured skull and bleeding.
Assistant County Prosecutor Jennifer Lambdin said Barnett originally blamed her 2-year-old son for pushing the baby off the bed and then changed her story to say that she accidentally dropped the child in the kitchen while reaching into the refrigerator.
That story was changed again when Barnett admitted pushing the child off her lap and against a dresser when she became frustrated with the childs crying, Ms. Lambdin said.
Authorities said the child is currently recovered from the injuries and appears to have suffered no permanent damage.