A nine-year-old girl in Alabama was charged with assault in the death of her younger brother, records show. Her aunt was also arrested.
Nine-year-old girl accused of beating her younger brother to death
The defendant’s aunt, who was not identified, found her with a broomstick while she was beating her younger brother, 4, last Thursday.
Police found the boy dead at the address in Mobile, southeast Alabama. The city is near the state border with Mississippi.
Court records allegedly show there is a history of abuse claims at the property on Jacob Drive in south Mobile, and an aunt of the children was charged Friday, NBC News reported.
Among the evidence believed to have been used against the woman were signs of long-term abuse inflicted against the child, including injuries. An autopsy is to be performed.
Yolanda Coale, 53, faces charges of aggravated child abuse by death, records show.
She is the legal guardian of the two children.
Coale told police she woke up the day of the incident, heard both children screaming and found the nine-year-old girl hitting her younger brother. There were no further details about what happened.
“I’ve never seen her yell at anyone or lose her temper,” a friend commented in an interview with WTVY TV, a local news station.
“I am not aware of any abuse that Ms. Coale can be accused of. I have never seen her be aggressive with anyone. Not with me, her children, or her grandchildren,” commented the friend, who wished to remain anonymous.
Her bail was set at $150,000, and a hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, it was unclear if she had a lawyer.
