A tragic incident unfolded as a one-year-old girl lost her life reportedly due to severe physical abuse inflicted by her mother’s boyfriend, resulting in the need to remove a part of her skull. The toddler, Imani Mitchell, was subjected to violence by Jerome Thomas, who allegedly struck her head twice with force, leading to critical injuries.
Following the assault, Imani was rushed to the hospital with severe subdural hemorrhaging on one side of her head, causing swelling and intracranial pressure that led to brain herniation. Medical intervention included surgery to remove a portion of her skull, as detailed in court records. Sadly, the young child succumbed to her injuries, and authorities confirmed her death as a homicide.
The suspect, who was caring for the child on the evening of August 28, was apprehended the next day. He faces charges of felony assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Neighbors, including Nicole laCroiz, mentioned that the family had recently moved to the area, and they had interacted with the mother and her boyfriend to assist them in getting acquainted with the neighborhood.
The 19-year-old suspect, who was responsible for looking after his partner’s child at the time of the incident, is scheduled to appear in court on September 18. The charges against him may be upgraded in light of the tragic outcome of the child’s injuries.
In a separate distressing case, a father, Joseph Washington, was sentenced to a decade in prison for committing first-degree assault on his son, resulting in a severe injury that perforated the child’s small intestine. The incident took place on April 4, 2024, in Portland when the father was watching the 20-month-old at his ex-girlfriend’s residence.
After the child’s mother received a concerning call from Washington about the child’s condition, she urged him to seek medical help. However, Washington took the child to her workplace instead of a hospital, prompting the mother to rush the child to receive urgent medical care.