police tape
Share this @internewscast.com


A New York prosecutor said Sunday during a bond hearing that 9-year-old Shalom Guifarro cried out for her mother, Shemene Cato, 48, to help her before the child’s brutal death.

Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney David Ingle provided disturbing case details during a Sunday bond, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, the incident happened in an apartment above a restaurant off of Lincoln Place in Crown Heights. Patrons at the restaurant below reportedly complained of a foul smell emanating from upstairs, “almost like sewage dripping into the restaurant from the apartment.”

Police arrived at the scene and found Shalom unresponsive after a 911 about the victim bering in distress. Shalom had had bites marks on her body and trauma to her head, police said. Patch reports that police found the little girl was unresponsive after a bed apparently been dropped on her while she was trying to hide from Cato.

“[Cato] lifted the bed and attempted to pull [Shalom] out from under the bed,” the criminal complaint read. “But [Cato] dropped the bed causing the leg to fall off the bed and the bed to fall on the head of Shalom Guifarro.”

Previous Video Coverage 

A medical examiner said the child died from a blunt-force impact that caused internal bleeding.

Shalom lived in the apartment with her mother and a 13-year-old sister. The older sibling reportedly told investigators about the beating carried out by Cato on the day in question.

The sister said that the girl’s mother “spanked” Shalom and put her in a time-out following a temper tantrum. The complaint filed on Tuesday accused Cato of beating the girls over a missing computer tablet. Shalom fled and hid under the bed, which Cato lifted and dropped on her head.

Neighbors told The New York Times that Cato was an “overprotective mother who seemed troubled.” She was said to have been abusive to her children, as well as her two dogs.

“She was crazy,” neighbor Rey Santiago said, adding that he saw the suspect once shove and yell at her daughter at a laundromat.

Cato was arraigned and charged with murder, manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment of a child, and a weapons charge. She remains behind bars without bail.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most — your children.

[Featured image: Shutterstock]



Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Heartfelt Plea for Justice Following Teen’s Devastating One-Punch Assault Fracture

A teenager is in hospital with serious brain injuries after he was…

Suspect Detained for Illegally Carrying Concealed Firearm at Oaks Mall

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 19-year-old named Elijah Levin Williams was…

Lawsuit Alleges Neglect Led to Walmart Greeter’s Death from Work-Related Injuries and Severe Bedsores in Nursing Home

Inset: Tamara Bircumshaw (Lindquist Mortuary). Background: The Utah nursing home where Tamara…

Man Evades Murder Charge After Placing Woman’s Remains in Tote Bin by Dumpster

Daniel Clark (Arvada police) and Chelsea Beadles (1st Judicial District Attorney”s Office).…

Tragic Neglect: Caregiver’s Anime Binge Linked to Carbon Monoxide Deaths of Three Disabled Men in Garage

Insets, from left: Timothy Jones, Mosa’ati Moa, and Colton Moser (GoFundMe). Background:…

Killer Allegedly Cursed Victim Prior to Fatal Stabbing of Sydney Nurse

Wild claims about curses and witchcraft, amid a raging argument over designer…

US TV Host’s Emotional Appeal: A Heartfelt Plea to Mother’s Alleged Kidnappers Sparks Nationwide Attention

US TV anchor Savannah Guthrie has issued another direct plea to her…

Father Accused of Stabbing 3-Month-Old Son and Abandoning Him in Snow, Claiming Need for ‘Sacrifice,’ Authorities Report

Inset: Michael Phillips (WPVI/YouTube). Background: The Pennsylvania apartment complex where cops say…

Unauthorized Overnight: Man Detained for Illegally Occupying Airbnb Rental

In a case unfolding in Gainesville, Florida, a 43-year-old man from Fruitland…

Ex-Police Chief’s Revenge Rampage: Arson Spree Targets Alleged Enemies

David Crawford (Prince George’s County Fire:EMS Department and YouTube screengrabs) A former…

Man Admits to Fatally Shooting Girlfriend Over Alleged Infidelity, Police Report

Left inset: Jayme Rogers (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office) Right inset: Jaime Dick…

Tragic Infanticide: Babysitter Charged After 10-Month-Old Dies from Severe Injuries

Left inset: Jacob Ray Wescott (Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Baby…