A Michigan woman was arrested on Saturday for allegedly beating her 8-year-old daughter to death.
Police responded to a home in Wayne and reportedly discovered Lyla Cassel with severe bruising and swelling to her head and neck. The girl died at a hospital, and her mother, Chelsea Duperon, 30, is believed to have beaten her three days earlier, according to WDIV.
While Duperon initially claimed her daughter fell down the stairs, she allegedly admitted to following her daughter and hitting her several days before her death. Duperon then stated that she did not recall the incident. but her daughter told her about it, according to WWJ.
Duperon allegedly told her boyfriend that her daughter was possessed. The boyfriend said he came home from work last week and discovered Duperon’s daughter lying “all swoled up” on the kitchen floor. He picked up the girl and put her in bed — but he claimed he did not take her to the hospital because she was not his daughter and he was unsure what to do, WJBK reported.
Officials said they believe Lyla would have survived if she was given medical attention in time. Instead of taking her to the hospital, Duperon purchased diapers for her because she was bedridden, according to WJBK.
According to WWJ, the boyfriend said Duperon’s daughter was responsive and talking when he carried her to bed. The girl reportedly told him she was listening to music when Duperon attacked her. The girl hid. but her mother tricked her out of hiding and assaulted her while pouring water on her.
Duperon also told her boyfriend that a mystery ghost or spirit attacked her daughter in the basement days earlier, WXYZ reported. Police said Duperon had issues with alcohol and would drink and drive with her daughter in the car.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner determined the 8-year-old girl died from blunt force trauma to the head.
“The pictures reflect a child that does not even look like a child. The massive amount of swelling to her head and her face, she was completely unrecognizable,” prosecutor Erin Wilmoth said.
Duperon, who is charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse, is due back in court on March 25. She remains jailed without bond.
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[Feature Photo: Metro Detroit Police Department, Facebook]
