In a distressing case from Indiana, a young mother and her boyfriend face serious charges after allegedly inflicting grave harm on her 3-year-old daughter, who now hovers between life and death in a hospital.
Kami Nelson, 23, offered an unusual explanation to law enforcement, suggesting her toddler’s severe injuries resulted from “walking into door handles and similar items” during episodes of sleepwalking, according to the Star Press.
The alarming situation came to light on March 25, when police responded to a call at Nelson’s residence and discovered the child on the floor, seemingly unresponsive. Authorities noted that the girl was “black and blue and bruised nearly all over her entire naked body,” indicating a possible beating. She was immediately transported to Henry County Hospital and subsequently airlifted to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where medical staff reported her condition as “critical” with injuries deemed life-threatening.
Medical professionals at the hospital diagnosed the child with “non-accidental” lacerations to her colon and lower intestine, alongside internal bleeding. Further investigations revealed “acute” kidney injuries necessitating dialysis, as well as potential fractures in her nasal cavity and jaw—all pointing towards child abuse.
During police interrogations, Nelson and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Lee O’Donnell Jr., began shifting blame onto each other for the child’s injuries. O’Donnell confessed that his unemployment was partly due to a fear of leaving his own 3-year-old daughter under Nelson’s supervision. He refrained from discussing his observations, expressing concerns about his own stability, saying, “because I don’t want to end up homeless,” as stated in the affidavit.
As police interviewed Nelson and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Lee O’Donnell Jr, the couple eventually began to blame each other for the girl’s injuries. O’Donnell said that he had been unable to find employment because he was afraid to leave his own 3-year-old daughter in Nelson’s care. He said he didn’t want to discuss what he’d seen “because I don’t want to end up homeless,” the affidavit said.
Nelson was arrested on March 25, and O’Donnell was arrested on Friday. They have been both charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and are being held on $191,000 bonds.
