AALIYAH SEYMOUR - 2 yo (11/14) - / Charged: Mother, Amanda Berard - Orlando, FL

Mother charged in death of 2-year-old daughter

Woman faces 2nd-degree murder charge

Published On: Nov 10 2014 05:31:19 PM EST   Updated On: Nov 11 2014 05:38:57 PM EST


ORLANDO, Fla. -

Orange County sheriff's investigators arrested a 23-year-old mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter.

Detectives responded to the home Saturday morning when they received a 911 call from the mother's roommate in regard to an unresponsive baby.

The mother, Amanda Berard, was taken to the Orange County jail Monday evening. She walked into a waiting patrol car and claimed her innocence to Local 6. Berard was charged with second-degree murder.

Orange County detectives said Aaliyah Seymour was hit in the head sometime between Friday and Saturday morning. The mother lives in the Buchanan Bay Townhomes, right off of South Texas Avenue, with her two children and a roommate and her kids.

Berard's roommate, Tikarra, called 911 Saturday morning when she found the little girl not breathing.

"I don't even know what happened to be honest," she said. "I don't know what happened while I was at work or nothing. I just got home that morning, we swapped, (Berard) was out, I was in," Tikarra told Local 6.

Another child in the home said Aaliyah collapsed on the floor and was placed on the couch, according to the report. The child then woke up Tikarra, who notified authorities.

According to the arrest affidavit, Tikarra said she called Berard to tell her about Aaliyah, to which Berard said Jackson should give Aaliyah a warm bath. Tikarra said she gave her the bath but it did not wake her up, so Tikarra notified authorities and performed CPR on Aaliyah until paramedics arrived.

Aaliyah was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where she died at 11 p.m., according to the report.

Detectives said the mother openly admitted to caring for the child at the time of the incident. According to the affidavit, Berard told detectives that she arrived home from work at around 5 p.m. and was dealing with a stressful day.

"She was a sweet, little girl and she ran up to me before I left for work Friday, gave me a hug and a kiss," said Tikarra.
That was the last time Tikarra would see her friend's daughter.

"It appears that the injuries are consistent with being hit or maybe hit on the floor," said homicide detective Eric DeBose, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

"I felt like she loved her, I mean, maybe some things she didn't know how to deal with, but I felt like she loved her kids," said Tikarra.
Tikarra said Berard had been staying with her for the past month after moving back into town. Berard also has a 3-year-old who is being cared for by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Tikarra told Local 6 her six children were also taken by DCF.

Berard appeared in front of a judge Tuesday and was ordered to be held on no bond.

DCF released a statement on Tuesday, saying "The loss of this innocent 2 year old is a horrible tragedy. The agency extends the sincerest of condolences to all who knew and loved this little girl."

DCF also said Aaliyah's 3-year-old sister was taken into protective custody over the weekend "due to the serious nature of the allegations and no other parties identified who were willing or appropriate to care for the child."

There is no verified prior involvement with DCF regarding the 2-year-old, officials said. 

DCF's investigation is ongoing.


http://www.clickorlando.com/news/mother-charged-in-death-of-2yearold-daughter-orange-county-deputies-say/29645522