NEW YORK (AP) — A Bronx child care worker charged in the death of a toddler, which authorities say she blamed on a wrestling match, will likely be indicted in the coming weeks, her lawyer said Thursday.
Defense attorney Michael Beatrice made the remark following a brief court hearing where Athena Skeeter waived an appearance. He told the judge that his client would not be testifying before a grand jury. Another hearing was set for Oct. 20.
The decision not to testify was made in part because “we have no idea what other witnesses are saying,” Beatrice said outside court, adding that an indictment was expected.
Beatrice said there had been no discussions with prosecutors about a possible plea. “It’s much too soon,” he said.
Skeeter, 40, was arraigned Sunday on charges of manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to a court document, Skeeter told police she had been wrestling Friday with 20-month-old Cardell Williamson at her home after his father dropped him off that morning. She said the child was on the bed when she lifted him by one arm and one leg and put him on the floor. She told police she stepped on his stomach but “didn’t use full force.”
Skeeter said she then put her son on top of Cardell and stepped on his stomach.
“Cardell acted different after that,” Skeeter said, according to the court document. “He threw up. His head kept tilting.”
She said she put him in a bathtub and put cold water on his face, and then stepped out for a short time. When she came back, Streeter told police, Cardell’s head was in the water and steam was coming up.
Police responding to a 911 call found Cardell lying on a bed, struggling to breathe. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has said Skeeter’s child care operation had both state and city oversight. He promised a full investigation.
