Melissa Bradley: Olivia Stripling's babysitter informed CPS about abusive mom Coty Lyon before child’s death
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN: The slain Olivia Stripling, who reportedly died in August 2021 after being hit by her own mother, was traumatized too in the past. As per court documents, the toddler’s babysitter Melissa Bradley had informed the Child Protective Services (CPS) about it months before she died.
The new details emerged as Stripling's alleged killer mother, Coty Lyon, was reportedly slapped with second degree murder and child abuse charges on last Monday, December 5. It has also been said that it was the babysitter itself who called 911 after finding Stripling unconscious a day before she breathed her last on August 8, 2021. “I wanted to make sure Olivia was safe,” Bradley said as reported by WWMT.
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According to reports, the infant was at her babysitter’s place on August 7 when she collapsed. Later it was found that the 31-year-old mother had allegedly struck her, which resulted in Stripling hitting her head on a table, Michigan State Police stated. The alleged abuse had left the little one with a severe skull fracture, which resulted in her death. Later, her death was pronounced a homicide.
However, it was not the first time Bradley had to take the authorities’ help. She apparently had been taking care of the 21-month-old for many months last year and it was in April, when she first contacted the CPS. She shared, “The first time I ever watched her I called CPS. The bruises on her face and body, the marks, she had bite marks. There was a huge bulge on her head, it was always there.”
The woman also reportedly sent photos of the child to the CPS but the details of those have not been shared publicly. A spokesperson for the Michigan Department Health and Human Services Child Protective Services, Bob Wheaton, said, “By law, the department cannot release specific information about any Children’s Protective Services (CPS) investigation, including whether or not a family has a CPS history.”
The statement also added that “the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is saddened by the death of baby Olivia and the death of any child. We offer condolences to everyone who loved Olivia. MDHHS is strongly committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all children.”
Meanwhile, the most recent update in the case is that the accused will appear in Kalamazoo County District Court for a preliminary hearing on December 20. This comes after four persons from a South Carolina family were pressed with 50 separate child abuse charges after it was found that they allegedly tortured an eight-year-old girl and made her to eat cat’s waste.
In a statement, shared on Facebook in October, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office revealed that all the accused were the victim’s relatives. The official release also mentioned the charges they face as it said, “Ian Tatro (victim’s father), W/M, 25 years old, 13 counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child and 2 counts of Obstruction, Tenika Draper (victim’s step-mother), W/F, 24 years old, 11 counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child, and 3 counts of Obstruction, Trina Rae Draper (victim’s step-grandmother), W/F, 47 years old, 5 counts of Cruelty to Children, 3 counts of Obstruction, and I count of Assault and Battery, and Ryan Dezotelle (victim’s step-uncle), W/M, 28 years old, 3 counts of Cruelty to Children, 3 counts of Assault and Battery, and 2 counts of Obstruction.”