Babysitters assaulted a toddler, leading to multiple skull fractures, brain bleed, bruised kidney and abdominal trauma

In Tennessee, two babysitters have been charged with murder following the tragic death of a 1-year-old girl who suffered from severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed and abdominal trauma.

Memphis police were called to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital on Saturday after the infant, identified as Kali Moore, went into cardiac arrest.

Despite medical efforts, Kali passed away an hour later. Doctors who examined her determined she had suffered skull and neck fractures, along with “massive bruising” on her back, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The babysitters, 34-year-old Dijon Smith and 21-year-old Kiya Moore, had been caring for Kali since 5 p.m. on Thursday, the affidavit revealed. After being read their Miranda rights, both Smith and Moore provided “conflicting statements” to police, each blaming the other for Kali’s death.

Moore told detectives that she had left Kali alone with Smith, and when she returned, she found the child unresponsive. She claimed that Smith refused to explain what had happened and instructed her to say that Kali had fallen off the bed and hit her head on a nightstand while she was asleep.

In contrast, Smith told police that he had heard Kali crying in the backroom while Moore was yelling at her. According to Smith, he then heard Moore slam the baby into the floor, walls and wooden furniture six to ten times.

Smith also stated that when he confronted Moore, she said “nothing, that Kali was getting on her nerves by crying too much,” but at that time, Kali was already unresponsive. He allegedly said he then attempted CPR and tried to revive Kali by pouring cold water on her.

Moore, then called a family member to take the baby to the hospital.

An autopsy revealed the extent of Kali’s injuries, including skull fractures, a brain bleed, a bruised kidney, elevated liver enzymes indicating abdominal trauma and blood in her lungs.

When police searched the home on University Street, they noted that there was no baby food present, and it was unclear if Kali had a safe place to sleep.

The horrific incident has left the local community in shock. Alvin Riley, a neighbor, expressed disbelief when he learned the victim was just 1 year old, lamenting that the little girl never “even got a chance to make it to the first grade.” Another neighbor, William Pegues, described the situation as “really shocking.”

Family members confirmed that Kiya Moore is related to Kali but not her mother, though they declined to provide further details.

Both Moore and Smith are currently being held without bond at the Shelby County Jail, facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

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Authorities are actively investigating the case.