3 charged in connection to death of 4-year-old girl in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Three people are facing charges in the death of 4-year-old Kaliyah King Magee in Milwaukee.
Winston Chambers, 29, is charged with:
- Physical abuse of a child, repeated acts causing death
- First degree reckless homicide
- Neglecting a child - consequence is death
Princess Arredondo, 29, is charged with one count chronic neglect of a child - consequence is great bodily harm-as to the repeated failure to protect the victim from the abuse of Chambers, and one count neglecting a child-consequence is death-as to the failure to seek medical care for the victim.
Corinne Beechtree, 56, is also charged with neglecting a child as a party to a crime, after reportedly lying to police about her knowledge of the incident.
According to a criminal complaint, Chambers called 911 just before 1 p.m. Dec. 16 to report that he was at 23rd and National and needed an ambulance. He reported that his "niece" was walking and smacked her head on the pavement due to ice.
Chambers told authorities his "niece" was unconscious but breathing, with one side of her face bruised up after striking the cement. He went on to say the child had slipped while attempting to avoid being struck by a reckless driver. He said he didn't know if the child was struck, but said she fell and "busted her stuff."
Milwaukee fire officials responded to the scene and Kaliyah King was transported to Children's Wisconsin. The complaint says King suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and later died.
It goes on to say Chambers initially identified himself to Milwaukee police detectives under a false name, also providing a false address and date of birth. He said he lived with his girlfriend, Princess Arrendondo, and his mother, Corinne Beechtree. Chambers told authorities he and Arrendondo had been caring for 4-year-old Kaliyah King for the past two years.
Officers located surveillance video from the area where Chambers claimed King was nearly struck by a reckless driver on Dec. 16. Video revealed no accident occurred. Police say their investigation determined that Chambers was lying about how the child was injured.
Court documents also state that Beechtree and Arredondo also lied to authorities in an attempt to cover up the abuse but later implicated Chambers in the crimes.
Initial court appearances for all three have been held. Chambers was given a $250,000 cash bond, Arredondo was given a $50,000 cash bond, and Beechtree was given a $10,000 cash bond.
Preliminary hearings are set for Dec. 30.