A Broward County woman is facing charges after her girlfriend's son was hospitalized with injuries police believe were non-accidental. Deniqua Yvonne Lovett, 34, was taken into custody on a charge of child neglect causing great bodily harm. The arrest followed an investigation by the Miramar Police when the child was admitted to Memorial West Hospital with severe injuries. He was later transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, as reported by NBC Miami.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by NBC Miami, the child sustained multiple injuries including head abrasions, bruising, and multiple fractures. The severity of the injuries suggested non-accidental trauma. The last time the child was seen in good health was reportedly on a pediatric well visit on Aug. 11. Meanwhile, Lovett concocted explanations for the injuries, attributing them to ordinary accidents such as falls from a bed and a slide.
Further insights into the investigation were gained from a Local 10 report. Detective Dwayne D’Haiti from the Miramar Police Department recounted the various injuries discovered at the intensive care unit, emphasizing the different healing stages which indicated ongoing abuse. Court records revealed a history of domestic violence and battery cases tied to Lovett, framing a disturbing backdrop to the case.
After the child's release from the hospital on Sept. 10, he was placed under the care of his maternal aunt following a court hearing. Lovett's bond court appearance happened yesterday in Broward County, where she faced a charge of second-degree felony child neglect with great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Text messages Lovett sent to the boy’s mother showing injuries at various times further corroborated the boy’s prolonged suffering, according to Detective D’Haiti's warrant application cited by Local 10.
