WAYNE, Mich. – A 30-year-old woman has been charged with two felonies in connection with the death of her 8-year-old daughter.
According to authorities, police were called to a home in Wayne located on Phyllis Street, near the intersection of Wayne and Van Born roads Saturday, March 16, where they found an unresponsive child in a bedroom. Police said the child had “significant bruising and swelling” to her head and neck. Prosecutors said the injuries made the child “unrecognizable.”
“I cannot even describe to you how heinous these pictures were and how much they truly affected me,” said Assistant Prosecutor Erin Wilmoth.
The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police believe Chelsea Renee Duperon, 30, assaulted the child on March 13 and caused the injuries that led to her death. She reportedly initially told police her daughter fell down the stairs. Authorities said the girl likely would have survived had she received medical treatment on the day of the alleged assault.
“She was completely unrecognizable,” Wilmoth said. “There was no way for anyone who saw a child in that condition to not think that she would need immediate medical care.”
Police said her boyfriend informed him that she said a spirit or ghost had been making her feel crazy.
Duperon has been charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse. She pled not guilty. She was remanded to jail without bond.
Duperon is expected to return to court for a preliminary examination hearing on March 25. If convicted, she faces the possibility of life in prison.
