A Pennsylvania mother is accused of killing her 5-year-old daughter on Halloween by pushing her down a flight of basement stairs.
Ciara Robinson, 25, was charged with third-degree murder in addition to voluntary and involuntary manslaughter for the October 31 death of Amatulah McLaughlin. According to WCAU, Robinson admitted to beating and punching McLaughlin while threatening to put her in the basement with the “Boogeyman.”
Robinson reportedly claimed the 5-year-old then fell down the steps—plunging approximately 9 feet—before hitting her head on concrete. People magazine reported that officers who responded to the scene found McLaughlin not breathing and without a pulse, suggesting she had been dead for some time.
“I knocked [the victim] out… She won’t wake up… I am going to jail,” the mother allegedly told a friend, according to a District Attorney statement obtained by People.
After the fall, Robinson reportedly told police that she picked up her daughter from the steps and the child walked to her room and fell asleep. A complaint stated that Robinson claimed she checked on McLaughlin and tried to wake her up by throwing water on her face.
According to KYW-TV, an autopsy determined McLaughlin died from blunt force trauma to the head, which caused an acute subdural hematoma and an extremely swollen brain.
Citing police, WCAU reported that Robinson made a damning comment while sitting in a holding cell following her arrest.
“I wish I never pushed her down the (expletive) steps. I shouldn’t have pushed her,” she allegedly yelled.
Chester County authorities have accused Robinson of abusing her daughter for at least a year. The autopsy report also called attention to multiple bruises, scars, and puncture wounds in addition to strike marks located on her arms, legs, and back, according to KYW-TV.
“This little girl was severely abused, culminating in her death,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said.
“No child should have to live like this.”
Robinson’s 2-year-old son is reportedly unharmed and is in protective custody.
[Featured image: Ciara Robinson/Chester County Sheriff’s Office; Amatulah McLaughlin/GoFundMe]
