Mesa woman arrested for child abuse after 8-year-old daughter’s death

PHOENIX — A Mesa woman was arrested on child abuse charges following the death of her 8-year-old daughter in mid-September, according to officials.

Chaimara Washington, 28, was charged with two counts of child abuse in connection with her daughter’s Sept. 22 death.

Court documents say Washington called 911 at about 11 a.m. on Sept. 19 and reported that the 8-year-old wasn’t breathing after falling and hitting her head at their apartment near Main Street and Alma School Road.

The child was then transported to a local hospital where doctors found multiple bruises on her body, lacerations and contusions on her head, according to court documents.

Doctors also said the child had a brain bleed that she most likely wouldn’t survive from and had a reported temperature of 88 degrees.

Washington allegedly told officials she disciplined the child and also her 4-year-old son with a leather belt when they would disobey her.

She reportedly admitted to striking the child with the belt and a broken broom handle several times in the days leading up to the death.

On the day Washington called 911, she was disciplining the child by making her jump over a medical book in the living room when she hit her head, court documents said.

Washington performed chest compressions and tried to wake up the child with water in the bathtub before calling for additional help, according to court documents.

Police reportedly found two broken broom handles, two belts and a punching bag when searching the apartment.

Washington’s ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old Brandon Cooper, was also arrested in connection with the death.

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