Columbia County authorities arrested this afternoon a Martinez woman suspected of killing a toddler she was babysitting.
Lowanda Concettes Tripp, 39, of the 1500 block of Avery Landing, was arrested at about 2 p.m. and charged with murder. Police say they suspect she killed 22-month-old Teaira Michele Hall of the 1800 block of Hill Drive at Fort Gordon.
Authorities were called to Avery Landing Sunday evening in response to a report that the child wasn’t breathing. At the time of the incident, she was in Ms. Tripp’s care, said Columbia County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris.
Columbia County Deputy Coroner Harriett Garrison pronounced Teaira dead later that night at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital, Coroner Vernon Collins said.
The preliminary findings of an autopsy performed Monday at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Atlanta showed that Teaira suffered “multi-traumatic head injuries,” Mr. Collins said.
Mr. Collins was unsure Tuesday how Teaira incurred those injuries.
Ms. Tripp told police that the child was acting “strange” and was “throwing a fit,” according to a police report.
A deputy noted in the report that Ms. Tripp rode with Teaira in an ambulance to Doctors Hospital, where Teaira was treated before she was transferred to MCG.
Ms. Tripp’s neighbor told police he was outside Sunday evening when he saw Ms. Tripp in her front yard holding the toddler in her arms. He said Ms. Tripp told him the child wasn’t breathing and he brought them both inside his home and called authorities.
A phone message left for the neighbor this afternoon was not immediately returned.
Capt. Morris said Ms. Tripp had watched over Teaira on numerous occasions.
Teaira’s mother, Antoinette Hall, and Ms. Tripp knew each other through work, he said. Ms. Hall is in the Army, and Ms. Tripp is a civilian employee at Fort Gordon.
No bond has been set for Ms. Tripp.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
What is it with these sick people abusing children who are innocent and can't defend themselves, we live in a sick world with way to many sick people, it she did this I hope they fry her for it. It is so sad how day after day you hear about all these children being raped, killed, abused, I have no symphathy for these people who do this.
OMG.. May this woman rot away in prison! RIP baby Hall..
Enjoy hell if you did this Lowanda.
So often children have no protection. Our judicial system continues to be way too easy on child molesters and abusers.
Hell is the perfect vacation for this lady. People want children and are unable to have them and its people like Ms. Tripp who has children and abuse them. What could a 22 month old child done so drastic that she had to kill her? This will be another case as to where the Ms. Tripp will plead insane. To all insane mothers: If you don't want your child, please don't abuse or harm them. Just because your life is screwed up, allow the child the opportunity for a better life. There are adoption agencies. Any place is better than the grave yard!!!!!!!!!
Too bad she can't get the death penalty. And if a child wasn't breathing, I'd be on the phone to 911, I wouldn't be standing in the front yard. That poor baby, she suffered so badly.
How horrible for the child's parents. God bless them.
I wonder if they can tell how old the injuries were and how long it took for them to take the sweet baby's life. She may not be the one who did it, just the one who had her in her final hours. Horrible to think parents would do it, but it happens way to often. could have been long term abuse that led up to it. Either way, I hope who ever did it rots! May God bless this little angel in Heaven.
Another one. How many more? That child was innocent. Dear God deliver us from these child killers.
Sick sick sick. Bless this baby
Takeastand, it can usually be narrowed down to hours, but not exact times. If my baby acted strange for any reason, I'd go get medical care for it, I wouldn't stand in the front yard. A 22 month old child with multiple head injuries doesn't act fine one minute and drop dead the next.
When will the courts make an example of child killers and put them behind bars forever & ever..
When will the courts stop allowing women to have children they cannot take care of, just because they think it is there right as a woman. Answer when we put some people in office that will enact a law that states you must be responsible for the children you bring into this world
may god bless this family and keep them strong there will be justice for all .
@papada, I believe the paper stated that the mother was in the military,serving our country, to assure the right to make such stupid a stupid statements. Once in the military the parent has to have a care provided. She may be married to another service member or divorced, you do not personally know her, do you? Bottom line, children should be protected not harmed in any way. May God bless the mother and may justice be done to whoever did this.
onlyinaugusta: the perpetrator is the babysitter, not the mother. Please read before you make such negative comments about the parent. One can only imagine the horror the mother felt when told of her child's death at the hands of a person she trusted in the care of her infant. Condolences to the victim's family.
Papadan, when will the courts stop allowing men to have children they cannot take care of, just because they think it is there [sic] right as a man. And, by the way, the mother is not a welfare mother, she is an Army soldier. She works, and works hard. Maybe she went into the Army because she WANTED to take care of her child and the father can't be bothered, or is in prison. There is something seriously wrong with you, papadan.