BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Stanley Branford with the Baltimore Police Department is a seasoned investigator.
But as he described this murder case, he even went as far as to use the word "evil."
"Just evil” Branford explained. “I mean what motive is there to treat a baby that way. There is no motive to explain something like this."
Police were called to Rocket Tier Learning Center on South High Street Tuesday for a report of a baby not breathing. An 8-month-old baby girl, later identified as Reese Bowman, was sent to the hospital where she died. Police say there were no obvious signs of trauma initially. However, as the Center’s Director started going through security footage, she noticed something troubling and called the police. Police say the video lead to the arrest of 23-year-old Leah Walden, a caretaker of Reese Bowman at the daycare facility.
Police say Walden assaulted the child during nap time, causing injuries that resulted in Reese's death. “Reese Bowman in my opinion was tortured. The video will show MS Walden covering the baby with excessive blankets for a long period of times fully covering the child's head. She violently snatched the child out of the crib, by one arm several times swinging at the baby like she was slapping her and putting pillows over the baby’s face. “
At this time, a motive is unknown, but it appears that the baby was awake at the time of the assault.
Leah Walden was transported to Central Booking Intake Facility where she has been charged with first and second-degree murder, assault, child abuse and reckless endangerment.
The Bowman family has issued a statement:
“ Our family is suffering tremendous pain and wishes to grieve in private. Our hearts are broken. No family should ever have to experience the loss of a child under any circumstances. We await further information from the unfolding investigation. “
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