Police: Baby who died in foster care had multiple head injuries

By Kate Howard

Baby Cherokeewolf William Diedrich had multiple brain injuries before he stopped breathing, according to police and medical records.

The baby died Tuesday at 12 weeks old after he was taken off life support. Police are investigating his death as a homicide, but no charges have been brought.

A search warrant signed Jan. 26 at the home of the child's foster family shows that detectives believe, based on the baby's hospital records, that there were signs of multiple bleeding episodes in his brain and his impending death may have been caused by aggravated child abuse.

Cheryl and Earl Green, the baby's foster parents, could not be reached for comment. Jennifer Thompson, an attorney who is representing Cheryl Green only, released a statement on her behalf.

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“Cheryl Green is heartbroken over the death of Cherokeewolf William Diedrich, her foster baby she was hoping to adopt with her husband, Earl,” said Thompson. “She strongly denies the implication she has in any way caused injuries to William. Cheryl Green does not wish to make further public statements as this is a difficult and painful time for all those involved.”

According to the search warrant, Earl Green told police he was watching the baby and he had pulled the blanket over himself and vomited. He patted his back and the baby threw up some more, he told police, and then he went limp and stopped breathing.

Earl Green called 911 and was talked through CPR by a dispatcher, the records show. Cheryl Green told police she was asleep upstairs and didn't know anything was wrong until she saw the ambulance at her home.

The baby was placed in foster care shortly after he was born on the side of a road to his then-homeless mother, Kimberlee Diedrich.

Diedrich has denied interview requests but friends said she has been housed since the day she left the hospital after her son's birth.