A Poplar Bluff, Mo., woman's live-in boyfriend is accused of inflicting what authorities describe as severe head trauma and internal injuries on her young daughter.
The 6-year-old was flown to Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis, Mo., for treatment Tuesday.
Although her condition was unknown at press time, Poplar Bluff Police Lt. Josh Stewart said, the girl has bilateral skull factures and a subdural hematoma.
The child, according to Stewart, also has left and right rib fractures and her right lung is punctured, which caused it to collapse.
It is possible, Stewart said, the girl also may have a right pulmonary contusion (bruised lung) involving the same lung that is punctured.
"Old bruising" also was found "all over her body," Stewart said.
The girl's alleged abuser, Damien Jerel Gaylor, 27, is in the Butler County jail on suspicion of child abuse.
The Poplar Bluff Police Department learned of the alleged abuse at about 3:10 p.m. after employees with the Butler County Ambulance Service responded to the 800 block of Hart Street in reference to a 6-year-old who had fallen, according to Capt. J.R. Keirsey.
"While rendering aid to the child, EMS personnel noticed the injuries were not consistent with the explanation given at the scene," Keirsey said.
The girl was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center's emergency room, where, Keirsey said, she was treated for a brain bleed, collapsed lung, broken ribs and bruising all over her body.
Keirsey said police officers responded to the home, where they contacted the child's mother, Shakima Eure and her live-in boyfriend, Gaylor.
"During subsequent interviews, Mr. Gaylor admitted to throwing the 6-year-old child, causing her to land on the corner of a couch and pushing her down, causing her to strike her head against a stove," Keirsey said.
Gaylor, Stewart said, told officers when he got up there was some vomit in the floor.
"When he asked who had done it; one of the (6-year-old) twins lied about it or tried to hide it," Stewart said.
Gaylor's alleged actions "rendered the child unconscious; however, Mr. Gaylor did not render aid until Mrs. Eure returned home, which was estimated to be approximately two hours" later, Keirsey said.
Eure, Keirsey said, was working at the time the alleged abuse occurred.
Officers report five other children also were in the home, ages 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9. The 6-year-old reportedly is the victim's twin.
Stewart said the older children were interviewed Tuesday night.
"Basically, they confirmed everything as far as past abuse" involving all of the children, Stewart said. "On this occasion, he was hitting her and punching her.
"(When) she tried to get away, he pushed her, which caused her to fall and strike her chin. At that point, they believe she became unconscious."
The children reported Gaylor "felt she was faking, so he began stomping her, which is most likely when the real fractures and injuries occurred," Stewart said.
The child, he said, also reportedly was beaten with a belt.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley described Gaylor as "someone who is nothing but pure evil.
"He needs to be held fully accountable for his despicable actions on an innocent child, and hopefully, he'll never see the light of day again."
Missouri Children's Division officials, Stewart said, removed all the children from the home. The two youngest reportedly were placed with a family member.