Trial opens for daycare owner charged with abuse

CORONA -- A trial opened today for a Norco daycare operator charged with abusing seven children in her care, including a girl who was left in a vegetative state three years ago after she was allegedly abused.

Connie Lynn Barrett, 43, allegedly abused the young children -- four girls and three boys -- between 2005 and 2008, when she operated a daycare business at her home in the 200 block of Seventh Street.

In an opening statement in Corona Superior Court, a prosecutor told jurors that when babies in Barrett's care cried, she would drop them in their cribs, cover their mouths, or say, "Stop it."

The alleged abuse culminated in the near-death of a 9-month-old girl, who went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 12, 2008 after being alone with Barrett, said Deputy District Attorney Elan Zektser.

The girl lost her ability to breathe, swallow or move without assistance, Zektser said.

"The judge read great bodily injury -- that's an understatement," he told jurors.

Injuries to other children included broken ribs, a broken arm, and deep bruising, Zektser said.

Barrett's 7-year-old son told investigators his mother's face would have a "mean" expression when she was with the children, Zektser said.

Barrett's defense attorney, Melissa Hale, attacked the prosecution's case in her opening statement, calling Zektser's accusations "a tale that's been concocted."

Hale said Barrett did not abuse the 9-month-old girl who went into cardiac arrest.

She said Barrett tried to care for the girl as the child became panicked, cried and sweated profusely. The girl went limp in Barrett's arms, Hale said.

After the child was hospitalized, Zektser and Riverside County sheriff's deputies contacted parents of other children in Barrett's care, and wrongly attributed their injuries to Barrett, Hale said.

Barrett faces seven counts of inflicting a corporal injury on a child. Two of the counts carry "special allegations" that the children suffered great bodily injury, which if proven could result in a longer sentence.

Barrett has been free on $50,000 bail since her arrest in October 2008.

After attorneys completed opening statements, prosecutors called the 9-month-old girl's great aunt to the witness stand.

Debora Bourdeau cared for the child from June 2008 to the time she was hospitalized, while the child's mother was serving overseas in the Army.

Bourdeau said that she worked during the day Monday through Friday, and while she was at work she left the girl at Barrett's home.

Zektser showed Bourdeau a series of photographs of the child's injuries that were taken while she was hospitalized.

Bourdeau said hadn't seen most the injuries -- mainly deep bruises -- before she left the girl at Barrett's home the day she was hospitalized.