Taunton woman convicted of 'near fatal' child abuse, obstruction of justice. What we know
TAUNTON — A Taunton woman will be serving 6-8 years in state prison for severe abuse of a toddler in her care, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
Alanna Taylor, 32, was convicted in Fall River Superior Court on charges of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
The victim, a boy who was 2-years-old at the time of the injury, is not the biological child of Taylor, but of her fiancé at the time, the DA's office said.
Taylor was caring for the victim, as well as Taylor's two biological children, while her while "her fiancé worked long hours outside the home," the DA's Office said in a written statement Wednesday, May 22.
What happened day child was injured?
On Dec. 11, 2019, a friend of Taylor's visited her Taunton home and noticed the 2-year-old victim seated on the toilet for the entire 20-30-minute visit, the DA's office said. The friend left, but was quickly called back over the phone because Taylor said she found the child "lifeless."
Taylor didn't want to call 911 for fear of getting the state's Department of Children & Families involved, but the friend called anyway, the DA's office said.
The child was in critical condition, the DA's office said. He was taken to Morton Hospital and then flown to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an acute head injury that resulted in a massive subdural hemorrhage. Doctors had to perform a craniotomy.
Bruising had also been found on his ears, cheeks, and jaw, the DA's office said.
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Medical testimony
A doctor testified the injuries were "consistent with life-threatening inflicted injury and child physical abuse," the DA's office said
Taylor told police that, while her friend was over, she went to the victim while he was in the bathroom to tell him lunch was ready, the DA's office said. She said he got excited and fell off the toilet. She said she didn't see how the child fell, but he hit his head on the bathtub.
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DA: Defendant asked friend to lie for her
"The friend initially told police she was present when baby fell. Later, when she realized the extent of the injuries to the child, the friend told the defendant she would no longer lie to the police for her," the DA's office said in the written statement.
Text messages recovered from their cell phones show conversations where Taylor tells her friend to lie because she is her only witness," the DA's office said.
Evidence shown at the trial "Proved the defendant caused a near fatal injury to the child’s head," the DA's office said.
“I am very pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for inflicting life-threatening injuries on the two-year-old victim who was not her natural child. She repeatedly lied about her involvement in seriously injuring the child and tried to get her friend to lie and cover up for her," Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in the written statement.
"Sadly. the defendant is not fit to care for any children. I commend the defendant’s friend for testifying against her, which was not an easy thing to do.”
In addition to the 6-8 year sentence, Taylor was also given two years probation.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton woman sentenced in 'near fatal' abuse of toddler
