The death of a young girl who was taken to the hospital bloody and bruised has been ruled a homicide.
Investigators say a Southwest Philadelphia woman took her 4-year-old daughter to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shortly before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, claiming the girl was sick and had a bad case of diarrhea.
The girl, identified as Seanita Brown, was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police say the girl suffered abdominal blunt force trauma. Investigators say there was old and new bruising on the girl’s body and bleeding in several places, including both ears.
Police and the Department of Human Services are investigating and no arrests have been made.
Investigators say the victim’s mother and a male resident, likely her boyfriend, living at a home on the 2200 block of S 56th Street were both taken into custody and questioned by the Special Victims Unit.
They both denied ever abusing the girl and were released. Investigators also say an 11-month-old boy was taken from the same address and is currently staying with DHS.
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Neighbors say the couple had just moved into the home about three months ago and always kept to themselves. Angie Foglio, who lives a few doors down from them, says she was stunned when she learned the young girl had passed away.
"It's very, very sad," she said. "I feel bad for the child."
