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PrintMass. nanny held on $500,000 bail in child's death
Posted: 01/22/13 at 11:05 am Updated: 01/22/13 at 10:23 pm
Tags: Quincy Nanny Aisling McCarthy Brady Cambridge
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WHDH) -- A nanny was in court Tuesday charged in connection with the death of the 1-year-old girl she was caring for.
Aisling McCarthy Brady of Quincy pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault and battery on a child causing injury. Prosecutors said they expect to increase the charges to homicide. She was held on $500,000 bail.
On Jan. 14, the child’s first birthday, the nanny called 911 saying the child was having a seizure in her crib. Police said she was left brain dead and died two days later.
Prosecutors said the nanny is to blame.
“This child suffered…massive brain swelling,” said Asst. District Attorney Katherine Folger.
Authorities described the child’s injuries as healing bone fractures and head injuries.
“The diagnosis for the injuries is abusive head trauma that would be consistent with a very violent shaking of a child or shaking impact,” said Folger.
“It’s unclear how Ms. McCarthy could have slammed this baby or into a wall, hurt this baby if there were no outward signs of bleeding or outward signs of bruising,” said Defense Attorney Melinda Thompson.
Defense attorneys said the arrest is based on questionable science.
The suspect is originally from Ireland, but has lived in the area taking care of children for years. The Cambridge family hired her six months ago.
The suspect’s attorney said the nanny hadn’t seen the baby for about a month because the girl and her family had traveled to London, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“She did nothing wrong. She maintains her innocence. It’s a horrible tragedy for everybody. The parents, the family, everyone. It’s a sad day,” said Thompson.
The nanny, 34, doesn’t have a record, but in court it was said that she has two restraining orders, but they would not elaborate on what those were.
Brady is also in trouble with federal authorities. They say she entered the country on a 90-day tourist visa in 2002 but never left. She will be turned over to Immigration and Customs for deportation after her criminal case is over.
