Amanda Brumfield, Billy Bob Thornton‘s daughter, has been arrested and charged with child neglect in the death of a 1-year-old child she was babysitting.
The girl died suspiciously from a blow to the head in October while in Brumfield’s care.
According to Brumfield, the child fell from the top of her playpen, hitting her head and biting part way through her tongue.
Brumfield told police that she cleaned the baby’s bleeding tongue with a paper towel and began playing with her, feeding her bananas and fruit snacks, and claims she was happy and playful.
Police say that it is doubtful the girl’s injuries could have been caused by a 28-inch fall from the playpen.
“It’s not believable that a 1-year-old can balance themselves on a railing,” said Ocoee police spokesman James Berish. “You would either have to fall harder or hit something with more force.”
Brumfield, who didn’t call for emergency medical assistance until 2 1/2 hours later, says she laid the child on the couch next to her and fell asleep. She says was awakened sometime later by the phone and decided to take the child back to the playpen. She told police that when she lifted the child she discovered her body was limp.
When paramedics arrived at the scene, they attempted to do CPR on the girl, but were unable to revive her.
An autopsy determined the child suffered a fractured skull and a subdural hematoma due to blunt trauma. The injuries found were inconsistent with the explanation given by Brumfield, and the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Brumfield, 29, was released from jail today after posting $2,500 bond.
A rep for Billy Bob Thornton issued a statement, saying, “Mr. Thornton is estranged from Amanda and has had no contact with her for quite some time, however when informed about this situation he commented that, ‘Anytime a baby’s life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy and my heart goes out to the baby’s family and loved ones.'”
Brumfield is Thornton’s daughter with first wife Melissa Gatlin.