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An Indiana man was arrested after he allegedly injured a 3-year-old girl, who claimed she sustained the injuries when a ghost squeezed her.
The Evansville Police Department confirmed that Cyrous Baker has been charged with one count of neglect of a dependent and two counts of domestic battery by an adult against a family member under the age of 14.
An investigation into the matter began in February when the victim was brought to an emergency room while she was suffering from several ailments.
The girl was presenting issues like a headache, lethargy and severe bruising that was visible on both of her ears, according to court documents obtained by WEHT.
As doctors evaluated the girl, a CT scan revealed she had a broken skull and there was bleeding near the surface of her brain. A follow-up MRI was then conducted, which found she also had bruising on her brain.
The girl was then transferred to another hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, for specialist care.
Amid the investigation, police learned that a man planned to pick up the girl and other children for a weekend visit when she was brought to the hospital. The man was reportedly asked to come over early after her mother noticed she had some injuries and wanted the man to evaluate them.
The man has not been publicly identified, and it’s not currently clear how he knew the victim of her mother.
When the man arrived at the mother’s residence, he and the mother talked about the girl’s symptoms and she said she noticed the girl had a difficult time staying awake and did not appear to have an appetite. The girl was asked about how she got hurt, and she reportedly said that a ghost snuck into her room and squeezed her until she could not breathe, according to police.
The man then took the girl to a different location and watched her for a few hours. After her condition didn’t improve, the man and another adult took her to the hospital.
The girl’s mother said she worked the evening before and left her children with Baker.
Child welfare agents were eventually contacted, and the other children that lived in the same residence were medically evaluated and were admitted to the hospital. Police said that doctors found bruises on a 4-year-old’s neck.
The 4-year-old spoke to police, and they said that they no longer lived with Baker because he squeezed their necks. The child added that the 3-year-old girl was in the hospital because of the injuries she sustained at the hands of Baker.
While speaking to the girl’s mother and Baker, police heard different versions of what had happened the night before. The mother claimed the children were awake and watching television when she left for work, while Baker said the mother helped him put the children to bed.
Baker has since been arrested and was booked in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
It is not currently clear if he has entered a plan or retained legal counsel. The Evansville Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
