Wednesday, February 17, 1999
Prosecutor: Whipping daughter was murder
7-year-old's mother charged under new law
BY DAN HORN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Belanda Moore
|
To punish her 7-year-old daughter, prosecutors say, Belanda Moore tied the girl's hands behind her back and whipped the child with a belt.
They say Ms. Moore then stomped and kicked the girl in the chest so many times that her daughter passed out.
Hours later, they say, Ms. Moore noticed the child had stopped breathing.
The girl's death Friday prompted a grand jury Tuesday to indict Ms. Moore on charges of murder, felonious assault and endangering children.
“This was a parental disciplinary measure that got horribly out of control,” Prosecutor Mike Allen said. “This was a terrible offense.”
Mr. Allen said Ms. Moore not only beat her daughter, Jasmine Wilkerson, she also failed to call for the medical help that might have saved the girl's life.
“Any mother or parent who is breathing or has brain waves going through her head would know this was a dangerous situation,” Mr. Allen said. “This girl needed help.”
Kidney, liver lacerated
Police have said Jasmine had cuts, bruises and burns as well as a lacerated kidney and liver. According to court documents, Ms. Moore told police she whipped the girl with a belt, repeatedly forced her knee into her daughter's stomach and kicked her in the stomach.
Mr. Allen said Ms. Moore beat her daughter as punishment for misbehaving at school.
After the beating, Mr. Allen said, Jasmine apparently got sick to her stomach. He said Ms. Moore made the girl clean up the mess.
If convicted of murder, Ms. Moore could face 15 years to life in prison.
Although prosecutors do not claim Ms. Moore intentionally killed her daughter, Mr. Allen said the murder charge is possible because a new state law broadens the definition of a purposeful killing.
Under the old law, he said, the most serious charge against Ms. Moore would likely have been involuntary manslaughter.
Two with relative
He said Ms. Moore's other two children, ages 9 and 3, are now in the custody of a relative in Hamilton County.
He said he hopes a permanent placement with a relative can be worked out.
The Department of Human Services had no record of abuse or neglect in the family. Police say the family recently moved here from Chicago.
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