Man charged in 2-year-old’s death was investigated for abuse in Nevada: report

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The 2-year-old girl had “extensive” bruising. There were bruises on her face, behind her ears, her stomach, buttocks and lower back.

There were even bruises on the top of her feet. Those were believed to have been caused by stepping on her, according to a probable cause declaration filed by Bakersfield police.

Gregory MacDonald, the girl’s stepfather, told police he caused the injuries. He was interviewed after the child died Oct. 10 after being rushed from the family’s home on Vernal Place to Memorial Hospital.

“MacDonald told detectives he snapped; however never meant to harm the child, only help her,” an investigator wrote in the declaration. “He attempted to state all these injuries were caused during medical emergencies.”

MacDonald and Chandy McCarthy, the girl’s mother, are charged with crimes including second-degree murder. McCarthy admitted to seeing the bruises and never contacting authorities or otherwise helping her child.

This isn’t the first time the couple has come under scrutiny.

In March of last year, an investigation was launched in Nevada after bruising was found on the girl and her twin sister, according to the declaration. MacDonald again blamed the injuries on medical emergencies, according to the declaration.

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