Daycare provider accused of abuse makes first court appearance

SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A child care provider accused of abusing a baby under her care made her first court appearance on Friday.

33-year-old Candace Turner was visibly shaken and weeping as she sat behind her public defender during her first court appearance. She is accused of child abuse and neglect.

"Ms. Turner is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee. She has absolutely no prior record. She's a high school graduate of Messmer High School. She has been employed for over 14 years," said the Defense Attorney. 

Last Friday, Shorewood Police say they were called to a duplex on Woodruff Street.

They say a 20-month-old toddler who was in the care of Turner has 30 bruises covering his body.

Turner claims the child fell off a toy picnic table and sent his mother a text message saying he "bonked his head pretty good today."

Doctors say the injuries were consistent, however, with life-threatening child abuse.

According to the criminal complaint, a neighbor who lives downstairs heard a "huge bang" followed by the sounds of a child crying and running.

Doctors say the child has no activity on the right half of his brain and will probably suffer permanent brain damage.

If convicted, Turner faces up to 21 years in prison.