JAYLA HAAG - 18 Months / Accused: Mother; Alyssa Haag and Justin Edwards - El Dorado KS

Friends marched the streets of
El Dorado Sunday, in remembrance of 18-month-old Jayla Haag, a little
girl they say passed away Friday.
She was loved by a lot and she was an easy child to
love. The first day you meet her, you fall in love with her," said
Kristen Greene, former friend of Jayla's mother.
According to former friends of
Jayla's mother, the 18-month-old lost her life Friday night after she
battled to stay alive following injuries they say were from Jayla being abused.
"When she was around us, she was very cared and loved for. It's still a shock," said Greene.
Jayla's mother says she fell down stairs last week
and then suffered a seizure. El Dorado Police told KAKE they are
currently investigating a child abuse case, but have not yet confirmed anything in Jayla's case.
In order to make sure Jayla's voice is heard, friends are speaking for the little girl, hoping to find justice for Jayla.
"We don't want this to happen to another baby," said Greene.
"We want justice for her, and every other child, no
matter the age that's getting abused. Whether it's emotionally,
physically," said Emily Winegarner.
Even though both girls say they know Jayla is now in a
better place, where she will always be protected, they say they still
cannot believe their little girl is gone.
"You don't think this is going to happen to a child you love and care about," said Greene.
Funeral arrangements for Jayla are still pending.
Click here for a link to the Justice For Jayla facebook page.
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Friends_Walk_In_Hopes_Of_Justice_For_Jayla_145709625.html?storySection=story

EL DORADO, Kansas -- An El Dorado woman has been arrested after her 18-month-old child died last week.
El
Dorado police say they arrested the 23-year-old mother Monday on
suspicion of child abuse and homicide. KSN does not release names of
suspects until they've been charged.
Police say they were called
to the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Thursday, March 22. Medical
personnel reported that a toddler had injuries that were not consistent
with a parent's description of an accident at home.
Police began to investigate it as a possible child abuse case.
The child was transported to a Wichita hospital and placed on life support. The child died Friday, March 30.
The mother could be charged with first-degree murder.
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/El-Dorado-mother-arrested-in-childs-death/_h_aOIcW6UGg8yGqJ2Ij_w.cspx

SE Kansas woman charged with murder in death of 18-month-old daughter

EL DORADO, Kan. — Prosecutors have charged a southeastern Kansas woman with first-degree murder in the death of her 18-month-old daughter.

KAKE-TV reports (http://bit.ly/HlzZTr ) 23-year-old Alyssa Haag made a first appearance Wednesday in Butler County District Court. The El Dorado (doh-RAY'-doh) woman remains held on $500,000 bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled May 9.

The charge stems from what investigators believe was the
abuse death of Jayla Haag. The toddler died last week at a Wichita
hospital, where she was treated for injuries the mother said were caused
when the girl fell down the stairs.

Haag did not yet have a lawyer. No phone number was listed for her in El Dorado.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a19dae6fc2be4fd1ad386a8fc441536b/KS--Toddlers-Death-Charge/

The El Dorado Police Department upgraded a child abuse case reported
last month to a homicide, arresting the child's mother today.
Investigators with the El Dorado Police Department were called to Susan
B. Allen Memorial Hospital on March 22 when emergency medical staff
reported injuries to an 18-month-old child that were inconsistent with
the reporting parent's description of an accident in the home, according
to Police Chief Tom Boren.
From that, they began an investigation of a possible child abuse case.
The child was treated and subsequently transported to Wesley Hospital
in Wichita where the child was placed on life support due to the extent
and severity of the injuries. On Friday, March 30, the child succumbed
to the injuries.
El Dorado Police arrested the victim's 23-year-old mother for homicide
and child abuse. The mother, Alyssa Haag of El Dorado, will be arraigned
in Butler County District Court on charges of First Degree Murder and
Aggravated Child Endangerment.
El Dorado Police investigators continue to develop and collect
information through interviews with witnesses and medical professionals
to determine how the facts of the case and forensic evidence will
determine what additional charges may be pursued and whether other
persons will be charged in this investigation.

http://www.augustagazette.com/topstories/x586050639/El-Dorado-mother-arrested-in-death-of-child

Prosecutors have charged an El Dorado mother with first-degree murder in connection to her toddler's death.

Alyssa Haag, 23, made her first appearance in Butler
County District Court Wednesday. She was charged after 18-month-old
Jayla died in a Wichita hospital last week. Investigators said the child
suffered injuries from child abuse.

Officials said the child's injuries were inconsistent with Haag's description of what happened.
She told the police the baby fell down the stairs.

Haag remains jailed on a $500,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 9.

A memorial fund has been established to cover the
cost of funeral expenses and pay for local supporters' continued
advocacy for child abuse awareness. Anyone wishing to give can take
their donations to any Verus Bank Location and make checks payable to
the Jayla M. Haag Memorial Fund.

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/El_Dorado_Mother_Charged_In_Babys_Death_146148235.html

- It was a somber night at El Dorado Lake as people came together to remember 18-month old Jayla Haag."It was heartbreaking, there wasn't words for it at all," said Katrina Moore, of Remembering Jayla Haag.
Less
than two weeks ago, Jayla fell down a flight of stairs and died at a
Wichita hospital. Police say the girl's injuries indicate child abuse.
Now, people in Butler County want to make sure they raise awareness about the issue so other children do not suffer from abuse.
"We're
all here for the same reason, and that is just to stop child abuse and
save little girls like Jayla," said Jennifer Markley.
"I hope
people learn that children are a gift, they don't deserve to be hurt. If
you see somebody abusing a child, turn it in," said Moore.
Across the United States, more than $3 million reports are made annually of child abuse, with an average of five dying each day.
Jayla's
mother, 23-year-old Alyssa Haag, remains behind bars on $500,000 bond,
charged with first degree murder and aggravated endangerment of a child.
People
at El Dorado beach remembering Jayla wear shirts remembering her, write
her name in the sand and have a candlelight vigil.
"It's amazing
how something so horrible can bring a community tight and help us work
for something that's going to make a difference," said Moore.
"She was a beautiful little girl, she was happy," said Markley.
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/El-Dorado-remembers-alleged-child-abuse-victim/V28zV0vpWEu3J7KTktkeRQ.cspx

My apologies to the Dorothy State and the Great Bear State.
My original location slug was for CA not KS as I just discovered.
Note to self: It's not always the obvious.

Mother, Boyfriend Face Judge In Toddler's Death

Jared Cerullo
Tuesday, June 05, 2012

A detective investigating a toddler’s death has testified the mother’s story changed throughout interrogation.

Alyssa Haag and Justin Edwards are charged with murder in connection to Jayla Haag’s death. Investigators said the 18-month-old died in April from child abuse injuries. Officials said the child sustained multiple bruises all over her body, and was missing most of her bottom teeth.

Det. Chris Jones, El Dorado Police, testified in a preliminary hearing that Haag originally said her daughter suffered a seizure after falling down a flight of stairs.

Jones said she later told investigators that her boyfriend, Justin, caused the injuries after biting Jayla on the face. Haag also told Jones that she saw Justin squeeze her daughter’s chin after her daughter would not stop crying. Haag told police she asked her boyfriend to stop.

Haag told Jones that she saw Edwards smoking methamphetamine near Jayla the night the baby’s injury happened. Jones said Edwards admitted to smoking meth in the house, but always in a different room without the girl.

Jones said that when he questioned Edwards about Jayla’s injuries, Edwards would refer to the child as "that baby" or "that f---ing baby."

A Butler County judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Mother_Boyfriend_Face_Judge_In_Toddlers_Death_157257795.html

El Dorado Couple will go to trial for death of toddler

June 05, 2012|by Susan Gager | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(EL DORADO, Kan.) — Prosecutors say she was covered in bruises, and lost six teeth before going to the hospital. Tuesday a judge rules a couple will go to trial in the death of an El Dorado toddler. Alyssa Haag and Justin Edwards were in court for a preliminary hearing. They're charged with murder in the death of Haag's 18-month-old daughter Jayla.

“Sometimes it sounded like things were hitting the wall. So I don’t know if that would have been Jayla. Sometimes I would wake up and hear her crying and then she would just go silent and then I’d hear her gasping for air like she was being choked,” said roommate Jennifer Quarter.

Quarter describes suspicious noises she heard baby Jayla endure. Friends and family were brought to tears over the depiction. She also told police Justin would sometimes pop the 18 month old in the mouth, though she on stand she says she never saw it.

http://articles.kwch.com/2012-06-05/preliminary-hearing_32061193

Mother, Boyfriend Bound Over For Trial In Toddler's Death
Judge Ricke finds the state has presented probable cause to bind over both Justin Edwards and Alyssa Haag for murder.

Reporter: Jared Cerullo
UPDATE: Tuesday, June 05, 2012

A coroner has testified that a toddler suffered blunt force trauma and that bruises covered the girl’s body.

The doctor took the stand in a preliminary hearing for an El Dorado couple charged with murder. Alyssa Haag and Justin Edwards were arrested in April after 18-month-old Jayla died from child abuse injuries. They are charged with first-degree murder.

Dr. Jamie Oeberst told a Butler County judge that six of the toddler’s teeth were missing. She testified the teeth were forcibly removed.

The girl also had healing injuries inside her mouth and appeared to have burn scars in several places, Oebert said.

Jennifer Davis, the couple’s roommate, said she called the hospital where the baby was being treated to alert physicians that something was wrong.

Davis testified that “things would hit the wall” when Jayla cried. But then she would hear silence, and sounds of choking or gasps for air. However, Davis said she only saw the couple spank the baby on the rear as a form of punishment.

The roommate also told the judge that methamphetamine was often used in the home while Jayla was there, but the baby was not in the room. Davis testified that Haag admitted Jayla tested positive for the drug, but not to share the news with Edwards.

A Butler County judge has decided there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. Haag's trial is set to start Aug. 13 and Edwards' trial is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

A detective investigating a toddler’s death has testified the mother’s story changed throughout interrogation.

Alyssa Haag and Justin Edwards are charged with murder in connection to Jayla Haag’s death. Investigators said the 18-month-old died in March from child abuse injuries. Officials said the child sustained multiple bruises all over her body, and was missing most of her bottom teeth.

Det. Chris Jones, El Dorado Police, testified in a preliminary hearing that Haag originally said her daughter suffered a seizure after falling down a flight of stairs.

Jones said she later told investigators that her boyfriend, Justin, caused the injuries after biting Jayla on the face. Haag also told Jones that she saw Justin squeeze her daughter’s chin after her daughter would not stop crying. Haag told police she asked her boyfriend to stop.

Haag told Jones that she saw Edwards smoking methamphetamine near Jayla the night the baby’s injury happened. Jones said Edwards admitted to smoking meth in the house, but always in a different room without the girl.

Jones said that when he questioned Edwards about Jayla’s injuries, Edwards would refer to the child as "that baby" or "that f---ing baby."

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/157257795.html?ref=795

Threads merged

If the roommate heard what she's claiming she heard why are charges not being brought against her?

Dismissal of murder charge doesn’t seem to be last act in child’s death

The lack of a completed autopsy report led last week to dismissal of a murder charge in the March 30 death of an 18-month-old El Dorado girl. But the situation appears to be temporary.
For one thing, the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, which does autopsies for Butler County, has recently staffed a difficult-to-fill forensic pathologist position, which will help reduce an autopsy backlog, said Jaime Oeberst, district coroner and chief medical examiner.
For another, Butler County Attorney Darrin Devinney said a murder charge could be re-filed after he receives a completed autopsy report with a finding on the cause of death of 18-month-old Jayla Haag.
On Wednesday, Oeberst said that although she couldn’t say when the report might be completed, she is in “the final stages” of her examination.
Last week, District Judge David Ricke dismissed a first-degree murder charge against Justin Edwards, 29, one of two suspects in what authorities alleged was a homicide involving child abuse. Edwards’ court-appointed lawyer had told the judge that he was still awaiting the autopsy report as he was preparing for an October trial. Edwards was the boyfriend of Jayla’s mother. He has been released on $26,000 bond in other cases involving drug charges. Jayla’s mother, Alyssa Haag, 23, is still facing a first-degree murder charge and is scheduled to go to trial Oct. 29.
In June, Ricke found enough evidence to send both defendants to trial on murder charges. Back then, Ricke said, “The Court does find that the evidence leads to an inference that Justin Edwards would discipline this 18-month-old child by popping her in the mouth and in a manner where at least one witness was concerned he was getting carried away as he did so,” according to a transcript of the preliminary hearing.
The judge also cited evidence that the girl had teeth that had been “traumatically” or forcibly removed “with the roots still intact and damage to her jaw line.” He also noted testimony that Edwards disciplined the toddler by biting her on the cheek.
Oeberst testified in June that although she was awaiting more testing to complete the autopsy report, she could say that Jayla had brain swelling and bleeding behind or around her eyes, in addition to healing injuries.
Oeberst said that from Aug. 1, 2011, to Aug. 1, 2012, the Forensic Science Center had a vacant forensic pathologist position that has now been filled. For a year, there were only two forensic pathologists doing autopsies when a third was needed. During that staffing shortage, she and a second pathologist were working every other weekend to try to keep pace, but “you can only do so much,” she said. The staffing shortage was compounded by a pathologist assistant being deployed overseas.
Part of the staffing challenge, Oeberst said, is the difficulty in finding a forensic pathologist willing to come to Wichita, especially when such specially trained doctors are in short supply. She estimates there are 250 to 300 practicing forensic pathologists nationwide. “So there’s not enough of us.”
Because of the lack of staff, “we’re behind on all our casework … we are slowly moving through the backlog, and we are getting caught up,” Oeberst said. “It’s going to take a little time to get it turned around because it’s not like the cases stop coming.”
Her office does 750 to 800 death examinations a year, not all of which involve full autopsies. The bulk of the deaths involve natural causes, accidents and suicides.
Devinney, who as Butler County attorney is the chief prosecutor, said the judge ultimately found that the cause of Jayla’s death should have been determined at the June hearing and that without it, the charge against Edwards should be dismissed for now. At the preliminary hearing, the judge was required to view evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution.
Ricke found enough evidence then to believe that Edwards “killed Jayla Haag as a result of commission of child abuse on her,” the transcript said. As for the girl’s mother, he found enough evidence to believe that she “recklessly caused or permitted Jayla to be placed in a situation” where the child was injured or endangered.
Because the judge dismissed the murder charge against Edwards “without prejudice,” Devinney can re-file it after the autopsy and any additional investigation are completed.
Devinney said he does not fault Oeberst for the autopsy report not being completed yet. “She must follow scientific method,” he said. “I appreciate her thoroughness. It’s not a failure of the coroner’s office. It’s another step in the process.”
Fictional television crime dramas portray autopsies being wrapped up within 24 hours, when in reality it is a time-consuming, painstaking process, he said.
The case is not going away, he said.
“Whoever’s guilty of killing this child needs to be held accountable.”
Devinney said Jayla had “family that loved her.”
“A crime like this affects the entire community.”

http://www.kansas.com/2012/09/21/2499240/dismissal-of-murder-charge-doesnt.html#storylink=cpy





I hope the little angel gets justice. Just look at that face. How could someone hit a young child.
Just tears my heart.
William

What a travesty. That monster baby killer is walking the streets because there is a shortage of forensic pathologists. I hope he does't kill someone else while he's out. Why the heck couldn't they keep him in jail on other charges. There sure seemed like there were plenty of others.

Murder charges against Edwards dismissed

By El Dorado Times
September 18. 2012 7:45AM

Augusta, KS - Justin Edwards will not have to face charges of first degree murder in the death of 18-month-old Jayla Haag at this time.

Judge David Ricke dismissed the charges against Edwards Thursday afternoon, saying the state did not provide sufficient evidence of the cause of death.

The charges can be refiled if the state comes up with sufficient evidence.

Alyssa Haag, Jayla's mother, remains out on bond as she awaits her trial, set for Oct. 29, on first degree murder charges of Jayla.

http://www.augustagazette.com/article/20120918/NEWS/120919144