Infant in critical condition, police suspect abuse[UPDATE/BABY HAS DIED]

[TigressPen]

I looked for a thread on this one but didn't see one.


Infant in critical condition, police suspect abuse


A 13-month-old girl is in critical condition at a local hospital, after a man called 911 Tuesday afternoon, stating the infant had fallen and was not breathing, according to Lansing police.


The incident occurred in a home in the 700 block of Quaker Court, and the 21-year-old care giver is in custody.

Lansing Police Department detectives reported they plan to seek child abuse charges. The 911 call came in at 1:32 p.m.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/NEWS01/805070359

[TigressPen]

I despise child abusers and hope if this man caused this that he gets the max!!!

[TigressPen]

An update: Lansing police are investigating the death of a 13-month-old girl this morning as a homicide.


The infant died at a local hospital this morning. She had been listed in critical condition since Tuesday, according to the Lansing Police Department.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/NEWS01/805070359/1001/NEWS

[packy]

I'm so sorry. Bless her little soul.

[LiveLaughLuv]

They don't give much info on the abuse or what injuries this precious baby suffered that had lead to her death. I know it said she had fallen but from where? Did she try to climb out of her crib? Did she fall on the concrete? Too many open questions. I do hope they dig deep into this and find out if it truly is abuse or just an unfortunate tragedy!

Rest in Peace little angel :1222423:

[TigressPen]

Police say the 21-year-old male caregiver for a young child who died Wednesday could face murder charges.


The 13-month-old girl was rushed to Sparrow Hospital on Tuesday after a man called 911 and said the girl had fallen and was not breathing, Lansing police Lt. Dave Nosotti said. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.

The child initially was listed in critical condition.

The incident occurred in a house in the 700 block of Quaker Court, police said.

The caregiver, whom authorities did not identify because he has not been charged, is in police custody.

He could be arraigned as early as today, Nosotti said.

Neighbor Stephanie Johnson said a nearby resident told her the suspect claimed "he had just stepped outside for a minute when the baby fell off the couch."

The family moved in less than a month ago, and Johnson said she did not know them.

"They didn't even live here long enough to know them," she said.

The small house is one of six nearly identical homes on the street, which is off East Saginaw.

No one answered the door Wednesday afternoon.

Nosotti would not provide details about what investigators believe happened.

He also would not describe the child's injuries.

"It's obviously a very complex investigation," he said. "I don't want to release details that might compromise the prosecution of this case."

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/NEWS01/805080352/1002/NEWS01

[Roamer]

Lots of kids fall off couches. They don't die from it. :mad:

[TigressPen]

Lots of kids fall off couches. They don't die from it. :mad:


I agree. My children rolled off my sofa and jumped off it too and and never sustained fatal injuries.

[TigressPen]

Lansing man accused in 13-month-old's death charged with murder


A Lansing man was charged with murder today in connection with the death of a 13-month-old girl Wednesday.

Vincent Soto, 21, who was arraigned via video link and was visible on a TV monitor in the courtroom, bowed and shook his head as District Court Judge Louise Alderson read the charges of open murder and first degree child abuse against him. The charge of open murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Lansing police said Laycee Grace Johnson was rushed to Sparrow Hospital in critical condition Wednesday after a man called 911 and claimed she had fallen and was not breathing. She died later that day.

Soto requested a court-appointed attorney and will next appear before District Court Judge Frank DeLuca for a 10 a.m. preliminary examination May 15.

Read Friday's Lansing State Journal for more on this report.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/NEWS01/805080390

Booking picture of accused also included with article.

[TigressPen]

Boyfriend charged in baby's death
21-year-old facing up to life on murder, child abuse counts


April McCoy said she was headed to a doctor's appointment Tuesday when a frantic phone call turned her world upside down.


The Lansing woman said her boyfriend called to say that her 13-month-old baby, Laycee Grace Johnson, was not breathing. Laycee died the next day.

And Thursday, McCoy's boyfriend, Vincent Soto, 21, was charged with murder in connection with Laycee's death.

"I feel very betrayed," McCoy said. "But he never showed any signs of violence toward me. I thought he loved her so much."

Soto, who was arraigned via video link and was visible on a TV monitor in the courtroom, bowed and shook his head as District Court Judge Louise Alderson read the charges of murder and first-degree child abuse against him. The maximum sentence for murder is life in prison.

Lansing police said Laycee was rushed to Sparrow Hospital in critical condition Tuesday afternoon after a man called 911 and claimed she had fallen and was not breathing. She was pronounced dead Wednesday morning.

Jennifer Saxton, McCoy's friend, said she saw Laycee Grace in the hospital Wednesday soon after she died.

"She had knuckle prints on the side of her head. The other side of her head was black and blue," said Saxton, a friend of McCoy's.

"If you would have seen that baby, you wouldn't have believed it."

Soto's mother, Jennifer Morikawa, sat in the courtroom with about a dozen family members during the arraignment. She cried as the judge read the charges.

"I'm not saying he's innocent," Morikawa said of her son before the arraignment. "I'm not saying he's guilty. I don't know.

"I just want people to quit slamming him until all the facts come out."

Soto is being held without bond at the Ingham County Jail. He requested a court-appointed attorney and will next appear before District Court Judge Frank DeLuca for a 10 a.m. preliminary examination Thursday.

Saxton set up a fund at Fifth Third Bank in East Lansing and has begun soliciting donations to help cover the expenses of Laycee's funeral and burial.

Soto's aunt, Linda Craig, said she can't understand why her nephew would have killed his girlfriend's baby.

Craig said she understands that Soto faces up to life in prison, but hopes courts will show leniency.

"Honestly, I'm hoping for him to get help. Don't just throw the book at him," she said. "He's just a kid himself."


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/NEWS01/805090322

[TigressPen]

"Honestly, I'm hoping for him to get help. Don't just throw the book at him," she said. "He's just a kid himself."


Yep. He is just a kid who will live longer and has known happiness and sadness and tears and joys than the baby he murdered.

[Roamer]

"I'm not saying he's innocent," Morikawa said of her son before the arraignment. "I'm not saying he's guilty. I don't know."

Seems like the black and blue marks all over the baby's head would tell her. :mad:

[Claudia]

:1187603408.CR.Mothe Poor baby.

[TigressPen]

This case just infuriates me. Laycee had knuckle imprints on side of her head when she reached the hospital. This piece of flesh used his fist!

[Roamer]

The only help this guy needs is some knuckles upside his head when he gets in general population. :mad:

[TigressPen]

Some of the comments beneath the latest article are ridiculous. What He did was not Laycee or her mother's fault. He and he alone is responsible for Laycee's death. April said he'd never shown a violent side toward her or her child, and comments say he didn't toward his own child. I feel for her and what she and her family must be going through.

[Roamer]

There are idiots everywhere, TG, always ready to place blame on someone besides the bad guy. I'm surprised they aren't saying it was the baby's fault.

I watch the Steve Wilkos show sometimes, and these would be people he calls "Belly Rubbers", always trying to find reasons and excuses for why the bad guy did what he/she did.

[TigressPen]

Hearing postponed for Lansing man charged in child's death


The preliminary hearing for a 21-year-old Lansing man charged in the death of his girlfriend's young child was postponed today.


Vincent Soto is charged with murder and first-degree child abuse in the death of 13-month-old Laycee Grace Johnson. The hearing, which determines if Soto will stand trial, has been rescheduled for June 19.

Laycee was rushed to Sparrow Hospital on May 6 after a man called 911 and claimed she had fallen and was not breathing. She died the next day.

The case is in 54A District Court before Judge Frank DeLuca.

Contact Kevin Grasha at 267-1347 or kgrasha@lsj.com.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805150360

[TigressPen]

Hearing in child's death postponed


Vincent Soto, 21, agreed Thursday to postpone a hearing that will determine if he stands trial in the death of his girlfriend's young child.

Soto, of Lansing, is charged with murder and first-degree child abuse in the death of 13-month-old Laycee Grace Johnson. The preliminary hearing in 54A District Court was rescheduled for June 19 before Judge Frank DeLuca.

Soto's attorney, J. Nicholas Bostic, told DeLuca that his client wanted him to "be as educated as I can" regarding medical reports. Some reports, including a final autopsy report, have not been completed, according to prosecutors. Laycee was rushed to Sparrow Hospital on May 6 after a man called 911 and claimed she had fallen and was not breathing, police said. She died the next day.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805160324

[grammybears]

He is not just a kid. That poor baby will not come back to life. Leaving black and blue marks along with knuckle prints seems pretty violent to me. When are these young mothers going to learn to not leave their babies with just anyone. The comment the young mother made about how she thought this guy loved her baby made me think that you can think he loved this baby but in all reality it does not happen that way. I am sure that most young people do not even know what love really is.

jmoo

[Pandabear]

grammybears, I have to disagree with you "that most young people do not even know what love really is". There are some wonderful young people who would never even consider doing something to hurt another person, especially a baby.

Even though my son has had some medical problems of his own, he is still a loving and giving person. He volunteers at the local nursing home and will read to the people there and help them write letters, etc. He will sit and listen for hours on end to the same stories these elderly people tell him, and does it with such compassion.

You should see him with his little 4 year old and 6 month old cousins. He loves those babies and would do anything to protect them. The 4 year old's Dad gave her a couple of swats on the butt the other day and my son got up in his face and said "one swat got your point across".

So, I don't lump all young people in with these losers who will hurt a child. I hope this guy, if he did this, gets the maximum penalty and lives to regret the day he ever hurt that baby.

[TigressPen]

A preliminary hearing to determine if Vincent Soto stands trial is scheduled for today. Hopefully it takes place. Defense sucessfully had it postponed back in May.

This killer needs to go to trial and spend the rest of his natural life behind bars!!

[animallady]

:1222423: for little Laycee Grace, a precious angel then and now

[TigressPen]

Baby died of head injuries, expert says

Forensic pathologist testifies that blunt force resulted in child's death

April McCoy dug her fingernails into her crossed forearms as she described a frantic phone call from her boyfriend, who said her 12-month-old daughter had stopped breathing.

The 30-year-old Lansing woman testified she was at work that May 6 afternoon when Vincent Soto called.

"He was panicked, scared," McCoy said on the witness stand, as Soto sat about 10 feet away in the small courtroom. "He said the baby wasn't breathing."

Soto, 21, of Lansing is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of Laycee Grace Johnson, who was taken off life support on May 7. A preliminary hearing, which determines if the case advances to trial, began Thursday in 54A District Court before Judge Frank DeLuca. It is scheduled to resume June 27.

Police said Soto called 911, saying Laycee had fallen off a couch in the couple's Lansing home. McCoy testified that she told Soto to call 911. Laycee was rushed to Sparrow Hospital, where she later died.

A forensic pathologist said the cause of death was blunt-force head injuries.

During much of the hearing, Soto sat with his head down, his eyes closed, sobbing and shaking his head.

DeLuca's courtroom, which has only two rows of benches, was packed with both McCoy's and Soto's friends and family. Laycee's father, Marcus Johnson, sat in the front row, his eyes fixed intensely on Soto. Johnson left halfway through the hearing because being there was too hard for him, a family member later said.

"He wasn't handling it well," said McCoy's aunt, Phoebe Long of Lansing, who sat next to Johnson. "He was squeezing my hand the whole time."

Two of Soto's younger sisters wore T-shirts bearing his picture that said "Free Vincent."

His father, Armando Soto, said he believes in his son's innocence.

In the hallway outside the courtroom, the 40-year-old Lansing man said: "We're grieving for (McCoy's) family, too."

Dr. Joyce deJong, who performed the autopsy, testified that both sides of Laycee's face were bruised, and there were distinctive marks on the left side that appeared to be caused by one or two blows from an adult hand.

Questions about marks
When asked by Assistant Prosecutor Bill Crino if Laycee's injuries were consistent with a fall from a couch, deJong said: "They were not."

Soto's attorney, J. Nicholas Bostic, questioned deJong about whether the marks on Laycee's face could have been made by a panicking emergency worker during CPR.

"In my experience, I've never seen that," she said. But when Bostic pressed the issue, deJong said hypothetically it was possible.

Caregiver for Laycee
Soto and McCoy began dating in September 2007, McCoy testified. They had lived in the rented house on Quaker Street about a month and a half with McCoy's three children. Soto was not working at the time and cared for Laycee, the youngest, during the day. McCoy's other children are 5 and 10 years old.

More than an hour after being on the stand, McCoy's forearms were still red.

"I was trying to numb myself, just so I could answer the questions," she said about testifying against Soto. "I once loved him."

Contact Kevin Grasha at 267-1347 or kgrasha@lsj.com.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806200326

[TigressPen]

Forensic pathologist: Baby died of blunt force trauma
Midday update


Laycee Johnson's mother, April McCoy, 30, of Lansing, testified this morning about the frantic phone call she received from her boyfriend, Vincent Soto, in which he said 12-month-old Laycee had fallen off the couch and was not breathing.

McCoy's testimony came this morning in the case of Soto, 21 of Lansing, who is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of Laycee. The hearing determines if Soto will stand trial on the charges.

McCoy said she was at work when Soto called. "He sounded freaked out, panicked, scared. He said the baby wasn't breathing," McCoy said. She said she told Soto to call 911. She said by the time she hung up and called 911 herself, an operator told her Soto was already on another line.

Laycee was rushed to Sparrow Hospital on May 6 after a man called 911 and claimed she had fallen and was not breathing. She was taken off life support the next day, according to testimony..

About her daughter, McCoy said, "I loved her. She was my life."

A forensic pathologist testified earlier that Laycee died of blunt force trauma and had what appeared to be injuries caused by being struck by a hand.

"The most likely source for the markings would be a hand," said Dr. Joyce DeJong, a forensic pathologist for Sparrow Hospital.

The case is in 54A District Court before Judge Frank DeLuca. The hearing has been adjourned until June 27 when more witnesses will be called..

Contact Kevin Grasha at 267-1347 or kgrasha@lsj.com.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008306190004

[Roamer]

Fly with the angels, little one. :1222423:

[London Lass]

:1222423: RIP little one

[LiveLaughLuv]

:1222423: RIP little Angel

[Pandabear]

:1222423: for Laycee.

[Faith]

http://cmsimg.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A3&Date=20080620&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=806200326&Ref=AR&MaxW=318&Border=0
Tearful in court: Vincent Soto cries during his preliminary hearing in Judge Frank DeLuca's courtroom. Soto is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of his girlfriend's 12-month-old daughter, Laycee Johnson.


http://cmsimg.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A3&Date=20080620&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=806200326&Ref=V2&MaxW=318&Border=0
Baby's father in tears: Laycee Johnson's father, Marcus Johnson, wipes tears from his eyes during testimony at Vincent Soto's preliminary hearing.

http://cmsimg.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A3&Date=20080620&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=806200326&Ref=V4&MaxW=318&Border=0
Emotional day for mother: April McCoy, Laycee Johnson's mother, testifies at the preliminary hearing for Vincent Soto. Soto is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of his girlfriend's 12-month-old daughter.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806200326

[LiveLaughLuv]

Tearful in court: Vincent Soto cries during his preliminary hearing in Judge Frank DeLuca's courtroom. Soto is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of his girlfriend's 12-month-old daughter, Laycee Johnson.

Too late for tears now! Those tears are probably for you not that precious child!

You should have thought about that before you knocked that baby into death!

[TigressPen]

Too late for tears now! Those tears are probably for you not that precious child!

You should have thought about that before you knocked that baby into death!



LLL, I totally agree!! His knuckle prints were visible on Laycee's face when she was taken to the hospital! He beat her with his fist. The tears do not phase me.

[LiveLaughLuv]

LLL, I totally agree!! His knuckle prints were visible on Laycee's face when she was taken to the hospital! He beat her with his fist. The tears do not phase me.


Then some family members have the audacity to wear placards with "Free Vinny now"!!!

What an insult to that precious baby Laycee.

They act as if he is innocent, they buy his "she fell off the sofa" excuse! :groan:

[SavannahStar]

This seems like a rather dispassionate comment from the mother. And if I am reading this correctly, this is what she stated on Thursday, the baby had just died on Wednesday? I don't think if I were in that position I could be coherent, let alone make this kind of odd comment.

"I feel very betrayed," McCoy said. "But he never showed any signs of violence toward me. I thought he loved her so much."

"I felt betrayed"????????? Odd.

[TigressPen]

Lansing man faces trial in death of girlfriend's baby

Kevin Grasha • Lansing State Journal • June 27, 2008 • From LSJ.com


A 21-year-old Lansing man charged in the death of his girlfriend's infant daughter, will stand trial, a judge ruled today.


Vincent Soto is charged with murder and child abuse in the death of 12-month-old Laycee Grace Johnson, who was taken off life support on May 7.

During testimony at today's preliminary hearing, a Lansing police detective testified that Soto gave four different stories about how the child was injured. In Soto's last version, "he told us that he hit her," said Detective Matthew Ramsey.

Ramsey testifed that Soto claimed he couldn't get the child to quiet down and he became fustrated.

Ramsey testified that during an interview with police, Soto demonstrated on a doll how he slapped the child in the face.

During much of Ramsey's testimony, Soto cried contuniously and shook his head.

Soto's attorney J. Nicholas Bostic said during cross-examination much of Soto's statement was coereced and that he was trying to please the detectives.

Contact Kevin Grasha at 247-1347 or kgrasha@lsj.com.


http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806270363

[TigressPen]

Some of the comments on LSJ site are very interesting. One mentions the two families fighting and how one family member (Vincent's family) was thrown out court. Also that Tee shirts with Laycee's picture is being worn by many. This murder has created a large following in this town. And rightfully so!! It was a horrendous and brutal murder of an innocent baby.

[TigressPen]

If you want to put a face to the story. Go here.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=95498342



I haven't found a trial date for Vincent Soto yet. I hope and pray he goes away for a very long time.

[Breezy]

Oh my...what a beautiful baby!! So heartbreaking.

[TigressPen]

I really wish we'd hear of an update on this case. Preferably a trial date set so little Laycee's justice can be heard. I check regularly but nothing yet.

[Pandabear]

She was so beautiful. Please keep us updated if you find out anything about this trial Tigress.

[TheRestOfTheStory]

:1222423:

[TigressPen]

She was so beautiful. Please keep us updated if you find out anything about this trial Tigress.


I will. The only crime this baby committed was crying and that monster hit her with his fist on the face and head. His knuckle prints were still on her little body when she was at hospital. (But he is a good person according to comments under the articles. :madranting94dp:) I haven't read where he took a plea deal or a trial date but I keep looking for updates.

[TigressPen]

Man Sentenced To Prison For Infant's Death t


Posted: 2:00 PM Dec 23, 2008
Last Updated: 8:54 PM Dec 23, 2008


21 year old Vincent Soto was sentenced from 16 to 24 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend's daughter.

Investigators say 12 month on Laycee Grace Johnson died May 7 from blunt-force head injuries.

Initially, Soto said the infant fell from a couch while he was caring for her, but he later admitted to hitting her and plead guilty to second degree murder.


http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/36639374.html

[TigressPen]

And I say, Thank You, for a justice system that worked! Laycee's face haunted me for a long time. She can rest in peace now.