Report: 11-Year-Old Charged With Child Abuse After 1-Year-Old Under Her Care Dies

An 11-year-old Maryland girl was charged with first-degree child abuse after a 1-year-old boy left in her care died of severe upper-body trauma injuries, The Washington Post reports. Prince George’s police are not naming the girl, who is currently being held at a juvenile detention facility, but identified the victim as Paxton Davis. The Post reports that children must be at least 13-years-old to babysit another child, and the girl had not previously babysat Davis. “I don’t know what motive there would be in a situation like this for an 11-year-old to assault a 1-year-old,”  Maj. Brian Reilly said. “There’s no words. There’s no reason for this to take place.” According to police, Davis' mom left her son in the care of adult members of the 11-year-old's family on Saturday, Feb. 23. The 1-year-old spent the night under proper care, but was left with the 11-year-old alone for a short period of time on Sunday morning. The relatives reportedly returned home, found the 1-year-old injured, and called 911. The young boy was reportedly rushed to the hospital, but died of his injuries on Thursday. Police said the girl admitted to hurting the boy when she was alone with him, but they would not tell reporters if a weapon was used.