Louisiana caretaker found guilty of shaking toddler to death

SHREVEPORT, La. (TCN) -- A woman has been convicted of killing a toddler she was caring for in her home in 2020.

The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office announced that a jury found 42-year-old Tatianna Burns guilty on Thursday, July 11, of second-degree murder in connection with the death of an 18-month-old child, identified by the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate as Angel Wong. Burns is set to appear in court again on July 23 and faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

According to the Shreveport Police Department, on June 6, 2020, the victim’s mother took the child to Willis Knighton Health, and she was transferred to Willis Knighton Health South in an unresponsive state. Physicians suspected foul play and alerted law enforcement.

Police said medical staff didn’t notice any visible injuries, but the child had sustained severe head trauma.

The child was placed on a ventilator and died from her injuries two days later. The coroner ruled the victim’s death a homicide, and police initially arrested Burns on Aug. 5. Prosecutors said Burns had no familial relationship with Wong but was the only one caring for her when the injuries occurred.

Burns reportedly admitted to investigators that she shook Wong for approximately an hour. She allegedly claimed the toddler was unconscious, and Burns was attempting to wake her up.

According to the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate, Burns also said she held Wong upside down by the legs while shaking her at one point.

During the trial, 11 witnesses reportedly testified. Several physicians reportedly "agreed that bleeding and swelling and brain bleeds to A.W. resulted from acute abusive head trauma."

According to the district attorney’s office, in 2013, Burns had cared for another unrelated child. She allegedly tortured the minor, who was removed from the home.