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3 kids killed here in less than a week

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Chicago Sun-Times (IL)

Author: Stefano Esposito

In less than one week, Chicago Police have investigated three separate homicides of toddlers.

On Sunday, a Chicago woman charged with murdering a 3-year-old boy she was caring for was ordered held without bail.

Clara Taylor, 32, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Earl Kirkland.

It happened last Thursday in the 6600 block of South Wolcott, police said. Prosecutors allege Taylor punched Earl in the chest and that the child died of blunt-force trauma.

In another case, Shyania Crittle, 2, was pronounced dead Saturday at Advocate Bethany Hospital. The Cook County medical examiner's office said Sunday that Shyania died from "blunt trauma."

Shyania, who lived in the 1200 block of North Lamon, arrived at Bethany on Saturday, police said. Investigators were interviewing family members, but police had made no arrests as of late Sunday.

Last week, the death of a 10-month-old foster child was ruled a homicide.

A spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office said the boy, Walter Jackson, died Thursday of "multiple injuries due to assault."

Walter, who suffered injuries Tuesday, had lived in the 6100 block of South Campbell.

That case remained under investigation.

2005 Aug 15