The mother of a 2-month-old who police suspect was beaten to
death over the weekend by a friend’s 11-year-old daughter said Tuesday it was
the girl who asked that the baby stay overnight with her and her mother.
Trina Whitehead, 31, of Cleveland, told The Associated Press
that she and the girl’s mother were best friends and that she never saw
anything in the girl’s behavior that concerned her. Whitehead said her two
daughters, who are 8 and 7 years old, previously stayed the night at the
friend’s home in suburban Wickliffe without any reported problems.
that she and the girl’s mother were best friends and that she never saw
anything in the girl’s behavior that concerned her. Whitehead said her two
daughters, who are 8 and 7 years old, previously stayed the night at the
friend’s home in suburban Wickliffe without any reported problems.
She said the 11-year-old seemed like a normal, sweet girl.
“I definitely trusted her,” Whitehead said.
“I never thought my baby would be put in some type of harm.”
“I never thought my baby would be put in some type of harm.”
The 11-year-old has been charged with murder and is being
held in a juvenile detention center. A judge entered a not guilty plea for the
girl on Monday and has ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
held in a juvenile detention center. A judge entered a not guilty plea for the
girl on Monday and has ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
The Associated Press is not naming the 11-year-old girl or
her mother because of her age.
her mother because of her age.
Wickliffe police say the girl awakened her mother at about
3:30 a.m. Friday holding the unconscious infant, Zuri Whitehead. The
2-month-old died during surgery about six hours later. The medical examiner has
not released a cause of death, but police have said Zuri received extensive
head and internal injuries.
3:30 a.m. Friday holding the unconscious infant, Zuri Whitehead. The
2-month-old died during surgery about six hours later. The medical examiner has
not released a cause of death, but police have said Zuri received extensive
head and internal injuries.
Whitehead said the 11-year-old’s mother called her around
9:30 p.m. Thursday and said they were close by and that they wanted to keep
Zuri overnight. The girl and her mother thought Whitehead deserved a break from
caring for the infant. Whitehead said she almost declined the offer because it
was so late and she was not prepared, but she relented when they insisted.
9:30 p.m. Thursday and said they were close by and that they wanted to keep
Zuri overnight. The girl and her mother thought Whitehead deserved a break from
caring for the infant. Whitehead said she almost declined the offer because it
was so late and she was not prepared, but she relented when they insisted.
The two women met in 2008 while working in the medical
clinic at the Cuyahoga County jail and remained fast friends, Whitehead said.
They consider each other sisters. The girl’s mother has called to apologize,
Whitehead said.
clinic at the Cuyahoga County jail and remained fast friends, Whitehead said.
They consider each other sisters. The girl’s mother has called to apologize,
Whitehead said.
“She called and said she’s sorry for what
happened,” Whitehead said. “She can’t believe what’s going on.”
happened,” Whitehead said. “She can’t believe what’s going on.”
Whitehead said she tried to shield her other children from
their baby sister’s death, but they have nonetheless learned what happened.
Whitehead’s 7-year-old and 4-year-old son began kissing the television screen
when one of the local stations aired Zuri’s picture, she said. She has been
trying to keep herself busy preparing for Zuri’s funeral on Saturday while
relying heavily on her faith.
their baby sister’s death, but they have nonetheless learned what happened.
Whitehead’s 7-year-old and 4-year-old son began kissing the television screen
when one of the local stations aired Zuri’s picture, she said. She has been
trying to keep herself busy preparing for Zuri’s funeral on Saturday while
relying heavily on her faith.
She called Zuri, which means “beautiful” in
Swahili, “the most perfect baby ever.”
Swahili, “the most perfect baby ever.”
“All she wanted was to be was held and loved,”
Whitehead said.
Whitehead said.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
