Mom charged in 1-year-old daughter's death, twin brother in critical condition

A young mother faces a murder charge following the death of her 1-year-old daughter. The little girl's twin brother is in critical condition.

Brooklynne Davis faces charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse. The 24-year-old is accused of abusing and neglecting her 1-year-old twins to the point of putting their lives at risk.

A woman who called 911 on Thursday, August 22 said her 1-year-old child died insider her residence on Eastern Avenue SE near Baxter Street SE. That call prompted officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department to the apartment.

Inside they found the 19-month-old girl beyond help. Officers described the girl as "very malnourished," with sunken eyes, her ribs and collarbone clearly showing, according to court documents. A week-old diaper rash caused raw wounds to her skin.

The girl's twin brother was found in life-threatening condition, unable to hold up his head. Officer removed him from the apartment for medical care.

He remains in critical condition nearly a week later.

An 8-year-old brother of the twins was removed by Child Protective Services. That child did not appear to have medical needs, according to police.

The apartment was infested with lice, bedbugs, and other pests, according to court documents. The bathtub was full of unclean water. The bedroom shared by the three children had a single mattress stained with urine and feces.

A dog in the apartment used one of the rooms for a bathroom.

“This is one of the most horrific cases of child abuse I have ever seen,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Chief Eric Winstrom. “Neither the first responders, or the detectives who worked tirelessly for justice, will ever forget this child. We are praying for the recovery of her twin brother who also suffered unconscionable abuse.”

The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled the 1-year-old's death a homicide by starvation and malnutrition. In his opinion, it was an intentional act to not feed the little girl.

Grand Rapids Police's Major Case Team along with the Family Services Team is handling the investigation.

FOX 17 is choosing to not publish the names of any of the children involved.

Davis was arrested on Monday and arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

WXMI/Brian Farber

The 24-year-old told investigators she was embarrassed by the condition of her home and isolated herself, fearing she'd be evicted. Davis admitted during police interviews she often drank heavily and scrolled on her phone after putting the children in their room for the night.

In a timeline compiled by detectives, Davis put the twins to bed around 8 p.m. on August 21 and did not check on them until 10 a.m. the following morning. The 8-year-old and 1-year-old boy were awake, but the little girl appeared to be sleeping. Davis said she wanted to let her sleep.

It wasn't until nearly 3:30 p.m., another 5 hours, that the 24-year-old went in to get her daughter, finding her dead.

Davis first called her mother in North Carolina, then waited until 5:21 p.m. before calling 911 to report the 1-year-old's death.

The twins ate mostly Boost protein shakes, chicken nuggets, pancakes, French toast sticks, and water, per their mother. The 8-year-old cooked for himself, according the mom's statements to investigators.

Kent County Sheriff's Office

Davis admitted to police she recognized the children were losing weight, but decided she would handle it herself. It appears she never contacted a doctor to address the twins' conditions.

At the time of her death, the 1-year-old girl was just 13 pounds.

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