WASHINGTON — A 24-year-old D.C. man pleaded guilty to a charge of child abuse resulting in death after shaking his girlfriend’s six-month-old daughter while he was under the influence of synthetic marijuana, which is also known as K2.
In Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Judge Beverly Woodard accepted the plea, and sentenced Kareem Bryant to 12 years in prison.
Bryant is currently serving three years behind bars in D.C. for robbery. At the end of that sentence, he will serve the 12 years in Prince George’s County.
“There is absolutely no excuse to harm a defenseless child,” said state’s attorney Angela Alsobrooks. “It was a completely preventable crime.”
On Jan. 6, Bryant was looking after his girlfriend’s baby, as she took a shower. According to police, Bryant shook the baby, and the child stopped breathing.
Bryant and the baby’s mother called 911, and were instructed in administering CPR.
“During the 911 call Mr. Bryant seemed hysterical, and gave the impression he was confused about the baby’s condition — ‘oh my God, oh my God, get medical care’ — and then we learned later that he was the reason she was unresponsive, and he had caused the injuries that caused her death,” Alsobrooks said.
The child was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center and was later flown to Children’s National Medical Center.
A CT scan showed intracranial bleeding and swelling, and bilateral eye hemorrhaging, which are consistent with abusive head trauma.
“The medical examiner said it seemed like she had been in very serious car collision — that’s how violent this attack was,” Alsobrooks said.
The child remained in critical condition until she died Jan. 9.
Alsobrooks said synthetic marijuana users often exhibit erratic and violent behavior, similar to the effects of PCP.
