Modesto Babysitter Charged in Child's Death

By KSEE News

Modesto Babysitter Charged in Child's Death

February 9, 2012 Updated Feb 9, 2012 at 5:55 PM PDT

(KCRA SACRAMENTO) A Modesto babysitter is being charged with murder after a 18-month-old girl died in her care, police said Thursday.

Maria Torres, 31, was baby-sitting the toddler on Tuesday in the in southwest Modesto, when police said the child stopped breathing.

When police arrived at the home after receiving the medical call, they performed CPR on the girl, who was unconscious at the time, officers said.

Paramedics took her to a local hospital, where she died.

Torres first told police the toddler had accidentally fallen down a flight of stairs, but officers said the story is not consistent with the child's death and traumatic internal injuries.

One neighbor at the apartment complex where Torres was watching the child said he saw the child fall down the stairs. Police said the incident took place at Torres' apartment.
She then took the girl back to the child's home, where police later responded, officers said.

Police said there are still a lot of questions in this case, adding that the family is devastated this could happen in the care of a trusted friend.

Torres is being held at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.

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