Rochelle Lynn Sapp, a 33-year-old Iowa woman, faces an upgrade in charges after the little girl she put into the hospital died from her injuries.
According to police, an investigation was launched late last month after 3-year-old Autumn Elgersma arrived at Sioux Falls Childrens Hospital with a fractured skull and brain swelling.
Sapp, who was watching the little girl at her in-home daycare, called the girl's mother at work and told her that her daughter had fallen down a flight of stairs and injured her head.
Doctors examining the girl determined that her injuries were not consistent with Sapp's story.
During a second round of questioning, Sapp reportedly admitted to injuring the girl by throwing her to the ground when she refused to take off her coat.
Sapp was booked into jail and charged with willful injury to a child and child endangerment resulting in serious injury.
Autumn Elgersma died from her injuries two days later.
Since the abuse has now resulted in the child's death, prosecutors will re-examine the case and likely file new charges.
- WV
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