Apr 28, 2008 8:41 pm US/Central
South Side Mom Faces Charges Over Baby's Death
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
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Chicean Crosby, 25, faces murder charges for allegedly neglecting her child so severely that the baby girl died.
Chicago Police
A South Side woman faces murder charges for allegedly neglecting her child so severely that the baby girl died.
Chicean Crosby, 25, appeared in bond court Monday, standing with the hood from her sweatshirt pulled over her head. Judge Raymond Myles set bond at $700,000.
According to assistant state's attorney Stephanie Miller, paramedics found the 14-month-old girl "in full rigor mortis, indicating the victim had been dead for several hours" on Oct. 13, 2007.
"When the victim was found dead, she was dirty, in dirty clothing, and had severe diaper rash," Miller said.
But public defender Marijane Placek said Crosby "was trying the best she possibly could."
"We have the crime of poverty and the crime of ignorance," not murder, Placek said.
Crosby, of the 7200 block of S. Winchester, gave birth to her daughter, also named Chicean, in August 2006, Miller said. The baby was born premature.
In January 2007, Crosby brought her daughter to the hospital, where the girl was diagnosed with "non-organic failure to thrive" after being dehydrated and losing weight. The girl was able to gain weight after being fed at the hospital, Miller said.
While the girl was in the hospital, Crosby attempted to remove her "against medical advice, and DCFS was notified."
Baby Chicean went home with Crosby the following month with feeding instructions and requirements of twice-a-month doctor visits. Crosby took her daughter to the doctor once in July 2007, and not at all in the following months, Miller said.
When the girl's body was found in October, "the home that the victim and defendant lived in was filthy and roach-infested," Miller said. "There was no formula or baby food found in the home."
On April 10, the Medical Examiner's office ruled the girl's death a homicide by dehydration, malnourishment and neglect, Miller said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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