Louisiana babysitter allegedly beat 3-year-old girl to death over potty training

BELLE ROSE, La. (TCN) -- A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the beating death of a 3-year-old girl. 

According to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a hospital on Aug. 13 after a child was pronounced dead despite medical staff attempting lifesaving measures. Deputies learned the 3-year-old girl had been brought in by Bernard JR Fleander, who is not related to her but was watching her and other children at the time of the alleged incident.

According to the sheriff’s office, the child had multiple injuries throughout her body. An autopsy determined the manner of the child’s death was homicide. Deputies said the child suffered from head injuries, internal injuries, and internal bleeding, WAFB reports.

A search warrant was executed at the home and investigators interviewed witnesses to the alleged assault. The alleged beating took place during potty training. An older child in the home drove Fleander and the victim to the hospital, WAFB reports.

Fleander was arrested Aug. 13 and was booked into jail on charges of first-degree murder and failure to appear, per the sheriff’s office. Law & Crime reports he is being held without bond.

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