Norco daycare operator pleads not guilty to child-abuse charges
A Norco daycare operator pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges that she abused and injured young children in her care.
Prosecutors accuse Connie Lynn Barrett, 40, of abusing and injuring seven children -- six less than two years old -- dating back to December 2005.
An 8-month-old girl who went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 12 after Barrett allegedly abused her is still being hospitalized in a vegetative state, said Deputy District Attorney Elan Zektser.
The other six children suffered injuries including rib fractures, arm fractures and severe bruises, prosecutors say.
Barrett remained emotionally composed during her brief arraignment hearing Tuesday afternoon in Riverside Superior Court. But afterward, in the hallway outside the courtroom, she broke down crying.
Jeff Moore, her defense attorney, declined to comment and said Barrett would not comment.
Riverside County sheriff's investigators began investigating abuse reports at Barrett's home-based daycare business, in the 200 block of Seventh Street, after the injuries suffered by the infant on Aug. 12.
At about 4:30 p.m. Barrett called paramedics after the child stopped breathing and lacked a pulse, according to the declaration filed by authorities in support of an arrest warrant.
The girl was revived by paramedics. A doctor later told sheriff's investigators the child suffered from shaken baby syndrome, with injuries inflicted by the person who was with the girl at the time -- Barrett.
Barrett denied injuring the child when interviewed by investigators.
She said the injuries to the child were likely caused by the child walking into a coffee table, and other children at the home throwing toys at the girl.
She told investigators the other children were injured by falling into a toy box or by other children throwing toys at them, according to the arrest declaration.
"I don't think she gave much of an explanation, but she denied any wrongdoing. She was adamant," Zektser said.
The most incriminating statements made against Barrett came from her own 7-year-old son. The boy told investigators that he saw his mother drop the girl into her playpen as the girl cried.
The boy told investigators that he saw his mother spank and slap the girl, and use her hand to cover the girl's mouth while telling her to "stop it."
Bruises observed by authorities around the girl's jaw were consistent with finger marks from Barrett's hand covering her mouth, according to the arrest declaration.
Barrett's daycare facility was shut down Aug. 29 by the California Department of Social Services.
At the time the girl suffered the injuries, her mother, an Army soldier, was deployed to Iraq, according to the arrest declaration.
Prosecutors have filed seven felony child-abuse charges against Barrett. Two of the charges carry sentencing enhancements because the children suffered "great bodily injury."
Barrett posted $50,000 bail when she was arrested on Oct. 16. A preliminary hearing in her case was set Tuesday for Jan. 22.
Zektser said he believes the hearing will go forward as scheduled. He said sheriff's investigators will testify at the hearing, but Barrett's 7-year-old son will not testify.
The boy may testify if there is a jury trial Barrett's case, Zektser said. The prosecutor said he has not offered Barrett a plea deal.
Why, if this woman injured children in the past while under her care, was still running a daycare? What the heck is wrong with this State? Have we have no process in place to protech our children? We need stricter measures when allowing these sick people to care for children. Why does it take soo much money, and sooo long to get a Alcohol permit to open a bar, but just a home and a play pen to open a daycare? WTF is wrong with this country? This is not a human being, but the lowest of scum and should be sentenced to life without parole. I am sick and tired of these abusers gettng light sentences, and moving on with their lives, only to injure children again. When is our government going to take a stand and start protecting our children? People RESEARCH a potential caregiver, I bet a simple few background calls on this woman would have given just a hint that she is evil. I am so sad for this poor baby girl, in that she will probably never get the full, normal life she so deserves. My thoughts and prayers go out to this poor child, and her mother. And why do these sick women always look the same?
You need to get all the facts before commenting on these stories.
FACT
Brain dead infant girl during her care!!!
Not a FACT still fiction
How do you know it was during her care?? It has not been proving that, when it all comes out I hope Connie goes after everyone that has ruined her and her families life.
How naive can you be her own son testified against her. No other person ruined her life, she ruined her own. Also how does an eight month old walk into a coffee table? I don't know too many eight month olds who can walk, in fact, I don't know any. And it was during her care that's when the baby went into cardiac arrest. Another thing why the hell wasn't the Aunt, who put her in there and said she noticed bruises, not arrested for child neglect?
Her son did not testify against her, she hasnt even been through trial yet, get your facts straight. If you have nothing to do with this case but out... Who said the child was walking into a coffee table? Where do you get your facts about her? It will all come out in court. If they have this so called evidence, why isnt she behind bars? Think about that one, before you comment on her story.
Trial going on now...her son did testify and most 9 month olds aren't walking...she said she "fell into the toybox" same excuse she told other parents....get your facts straight connies friend!
Her son told detectives in the beginning of the investigation that his mom did these things to the children. That is a fact. Yes, I do know that for sure. I'm wondering if "connies friend" has been sitting in on the trial and listening to the evidence in the case. She's right, it will all come out in court. So, connies friend, are you still connies friend? Do you still believe she's innocent? Seven children will tell you otherwise. It would be 8 children but one of them is now a vegetable.
Her son did not testify against her. No one said that a 9 month old was walking. It came out in court that the 8 month old could never sit up, could not crawl and had to army crawl to get around. The child apparently had health issues prior to going to day care. I have my own children and by that age they are sitting up and they are crawling. lets not forget that the mother of this child went through boot camp while 7 months preg. and left the child with an elderly aunt who has never taken care of child.
Who said kid was a vegtable? The kid has been seen in the mall and on face book at her birthday party.
Apparently know one cares about the true facts. The Prosecutor has to use ploys like calling all the families to show up at the time of closing statements and then state to the jury "Look how many people who are sitting on my side and and look at defense side no one is thier but family" Nice !!!!. This was not the only cheap tactic. Lets not forget that the police took her son out of school with out the parents permission, drove for 20 minutes to the office and then questioned him. Who know's what kind of crap the police told him. All of this was not disputed.
Dont Be Nieve Police Are Not Saints.
6 Counts - Hung - This includes the 8 month old.
1 Count - Decision pending.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE COURT ROOM.
I also was in the courtroom. There are obviously two sides coming from the people in the courtroom...right? Connie's side and the side of the parents. Finally - there is the side of the jury. And the truth seekers found her GUILTY of the injury to Keyara and GUILTY of a battery on Kylie. So everyone can say what they will - but the outcome is that Connie is guilty.