A 3-year-old girl arrived at an Indiana emergency room in February with life-threatening head injuries that would lead police to uncover a pattern of alleged abuse involving multiple children in Evansville, authorities said.
Background
The investigation began when the victim was brought to a hospital suffering from a headache, lethargy, and severe bruising visible on both ears, according to court documents obtained by WEHT, an ABC affiliate in Evansville. Medical staff conducted a CT scan that revealed the girl had a broken skull and bleeding near the surface of her brain. A follow-up MRI determined she also had bruising on her brain, police said.
The child was subsequently transferred to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, for specialist care.
On Feb. 27, a man who was supposed to pick up the girl and other children for a weekend visit arrived at the mother's residence on Stringtown Road after being asked to come early because she had noticed injuries and wanted him to evaluate the situation, according to the charging document. The mother told authorities she had worked the evening before and left the children with Cyrous Baker.
When questioned about her injuries, the toddler offered a disturbing explanation: she said a ghost sneaked into her room and squeezed her until she could not breathe, law enforcement said.
The Investigation
The man took the girl to another location and watched her for several hours. When her condition did not improve, he and another adult took her to the hospital, police said.
Child welfare agents were eventually contacted, which prompted medical evaluations of other children living in the same residence. Those children were also admitted to the hospital where doctors noted bruises on the neck of a 4-year-old, according to law enforcement.
During interviews with police, the 4-year-old said they no longer lived with Baker because he squeezed their necks and that the little girl was hospitalized due to such injuries, according to court documents.
Conflicting narratives emerged during police interviews. The mother told investigators the children were still awake watching television when she left for work. Baker allegedly told police the mother helped him put both children to bed before leaving, authorities said.
Baker was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of one count of neglect of a dependent and two counts of domestic battery by an adult against a family member under age 14, according to the Evansville Police Department. Records indicate he is not currently in custody.
Key Takeaways
- The 3-year-old victim suffered a broken skull, bleeding near her brain surface, and brain bruising requiring transfer to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville
- Investigators learned from a 4-year-old sibling that Baker had previously squeezed the child's neck
- Other children in the residence were medically evaluated after child welfare agents became involved
- The toddler told investigators a ghost came into her room and squeezed her until she could not breathe
What's Next
Baker remains out of custody while awaiting further court proceedings on the neglect and domestic battery charges. No trial date has been set, and additional details may emerge as the case moves through Vanderburgh County courts.