ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – Janice Nikitin believed her granddaughter Kallee Diggs was in good hands with 27-year-old foster mother Nichole Gomez.
"When I first met Nichole I hugged her," said Nikitin. "I was so thankful, I told her she was my angel, and now she has horns."
Nichole Gomez
St. Clair Shores police say it was at the hands of Gomez that little Kallee received bruises and broken blood vessels shown in photos. The baby was taken to the hospital with the injuries in June.
"These are the bruises and the marks that she left by squeezing her with such force. That's what we were told by CPS," said Nikitin.
Gomez appeared in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to second-degree child abuse, a felony that could put her behind bars for up to 10 years. She was released on personal bond.
Gomez is not only a foster parent but also a teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Warren. Her contact with children was addressed in court.
"Another condition: you're to have no contact with the alleged victim or any children under the age of 10 years old," said Judge Craigen Oster.
Kallee and her brother now are in the care of an aunt and uncle after being removed from Gomez's home. Nikitin said it was drug addiction that took Kallee away from her biological mother. She is hopeful this case will finally mean stability and safety for her grandchildren.
"I felt guilty," she said. "I wish I could have done more and if I did maybe none of this would have happened."
Local 4 reached out to Van Dyke Public Schools where Gomez is employed. It was the first time they heard about the incident. The district is finalizing plans to put Gomez on administrative leave. She will not be in the classroom on Monday.