Lexington SC teen charged in murder of 2 yr old boy www.privateofficer.com

LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC April 12 2012 – A Lexington County teenager has been charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of a 2-year-old boy over the weekend.

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department investigators said the toddler, Paul Edward Thomas, was found dead Sunday morning at a home in the Sparkleberry Mobile Home Park.

Officials say 17-year-old Desiree Nicole Almgren was initially arrested on Sunday and charged with unlawful conduct towards a child, but her charges were upgraded after an autopsy showed Thomas, whose 3rd birthday would have been Friday, died from head trauma.

According to deputies, Thomas’s father left for work at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, leaving the child in the care of Almgren, who is his girlfriend.

Sheriff James Metts said the father returned home from work at approximately 5:45 p.m. that evening to discover that Almgren had fled the home and the little boy in bed and unresponsive. The father called 911.

Lexington County Coroner Harry O. Harman said that Thomas was transported to Lexington Medical Center and was pronounced dead at approximately 7:30 p.m.

According to Harman, the results of the autopsy performed on Tuesday, revealed that Thomas died as a result of an acute subdural intracranial hemorrhage caused by acute head trauma.

“It was a situation I believe, I understand that the lady didn’t have enough experience with young children, probably got frustrated, irritated, let her emotions overtake the situation,” Metts said.

Investigators arrested and charged Almgren on Sunday with unlawful conduct towards a child. Almgren was released from the Lexington County Detention Center on Monday after posting bond.

Metts said the investigation revealed that Almgren caused the acute head trauma to the toddler.

“She told us she was responsible for the death of the child and she left the child unattended, didn’t seek any medical attention for the child,” Metts said.

Although Almgren confessed, Metts says the teen had an attitude about it all. “The suspect’s demeanor was a little bit on the cocky side,” he said.

Investigators don’t think Almgren fully grasps what happened, but the charges are set and even though some may not consider her an adult, she will be charged as one.

Source:WIS