Jan. 18, 2001-- Reported by News Specialist Karen Scullin
Police continue to investigate how an 18-month-old baby with apparent ties to the Kingston polygamy clan
received a skull fracture.
The baby, Rhoda Wright, clings to life at the hospital, while police are meeting with doctors, prosecutors, and experts on child injuries.
The babysitter and day care operator watching the child, Michelle Michaels, tells police the baby's injuries came from a fall. But detectives say things just aren't adding up.
Michelle Michaels bailed out of jail this morning. She had been arrested for second degree child abuse.
She tells police, while at an apartment Tuesday morning, 18-month-old Rhoda Wright fell from a chair. But police say the child has a four inch skull fracture, a cut on her chin, and she bit her tongue.
Darin Sweeten/South Salt Lake Police Dept.: THAT SIGINIFICANT OF A SKULL FRACTURE IS MORE CONSISTENT WITH FALLING FROM A TWO OR THREE STORY BUILDING ONTO A HARD SURFACE, THINGS LIKE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS WHERE A PERSON GETS EJECTED FROM A VEHICLE AND HITS SOMETHING.
The child is reportedly the daughter of Kingston polygamy group leader Paul Kingston. Police say he administered C.P.R. to the child and was on the scene when they arrived.
A big question for investigators is why it took 45 minutes for anyone to call 911.
Those involved are being evasive as to what happened, making it difficult for investigators.
Darin Sweeten: INVESTIGATORS ARE HAVING TO PIECE THIS TOGETHER ON THEIR OWN. TRY TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY, WITH WHAT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, THINGS THAT OCCURRED.
The state Department of Family and Child Services has placed the remaining five children that were at the apartment with other family members.
There have been several cases of alleged abuse involving Kingston children,
but a spokesperson for D.C.F.S. says investigating is difficult when it comes to closed communities.
Carol Sisco/Utah Dept. of Human Services: IN A CLOSED COMMUNITY IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
Michelle Michaels is a licensed residential daycare provider. She got that license in September. There was some concern by the Health Department over sanitation and adequate immunization records. However, Michaels apparently corrected any problems.
Prosecutors screened the case today, but no charges have been filed.
