Police chief on abuse case resulting in death

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – A devastating case of child abuse leaves a 19-month-old girl dead, her twin brother in the hospital and a mother facing criminal charges.

The Grand Rapids police chief called it one of the worst cases he had ever seen in his career.

Brooklynne Davis, a 24-year-old from Grand Rapids, is charged in connection with the death of her own child. The 19-month-old child reportedly weighed only 13 pounds, which police say was the result of abuse and neglect.

“We responded to a 911 call from the mother of this 19-month-old girl,” said GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom.

Gruesome things were discovered in an apartment on Eastern Street in Grand Rapids.

“Absolutely disgusting conditions,” Winstrom said.

Police said the children were living in filth and were infested with bed bugs and lice. Conditions were so bad that an operation on August 22 would prove to be the worst.

“It’s just a horrible sight,” Winstrom said.

A 19-month-old girl was found dead. According to court documents, she was severely malnourished.

“It looked like her diaper hadn't been changed in weeks. Absolutely disgusting conditions,” Winstrom said.

The 19-month-old child's twin brother is still in hospital and is also suffering from severe malnutrition.

“He was taken to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where he is still being treated,” Winstrom said.

A physically healthy eight-year-old was taken from the home and taken into protective custody.

“There was a dog in the apartment that looked like it hadn’t been let out in weeks,” Winstrom said.

The children's mother, Brooklynne Davis, appeared in court on Wednesday and was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse.

Kent County Sheriff's Office

“All the facts clearly showed that the mother let the child starve to death,” Winstrom said.

Davis was not granted bail in the case because she was a flight risk. Her next court date is September 10.

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