Foster mom accused in Milwaukee boy’s death

Foster mom accused in Milwaukee boy’s death

November 13, 2008

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee woman is accused of beating her 1-year-old nephew for weeks until he finally died and severely injuring her 2-year-old niece while serving as foster mother to the children.

A criminal complaint filed Thursday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court charges 24-year-old Crystal Keith with first-degree reckless homicide and physical abuse of a child.

Keith called police Monday evening to report the boy wasn’t breathing. He was pronounced dead at a hospital the next morning.

The complaint said an autopsy found he died from blunt force head injuries. An examination found the girl’s injuries included burn marks from her head to her foot.

Keith told police her brother-in-law’s children were placed with her in June because the mother had been abusive, and she received monthly payments for keeping them.