A heartbreaking case of alleged child abuse has unfolded in Memphis, Tennessee, where a one-year-old girl, Cali Moore, tragically lost her life. Police have arrested Cali’s aunt, 21-year-old Kaa Moore, and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Dejon Smith, who were entrusted with babysitting the toddler. The couple claims the child sustained fatal injuries from a fall, but medical examinations reveal a far more sinister possibility.
Cali Moore, a one-year-old girl, tragically passed away under the care of her aunt and her boyfriend
According to investigators, Cali was left in the care of Moore and Smith on Thursday. However, by Saturday morning, she was rushed to a local children’s hospital in cardiac arrest. Despite medical professionals’ best efforts, Cali tragically succumbed to her injuries an hour later.
A subsequent medical examination revealed the horrifying extent of Cali’s injuries. The one-year-old suffered a fractured skull and neck, extensive bruising across her back, bleeding from her rectum, and internal injuries indicative of severe trauma. These findings painted a grim picture that contradicted the babysitters’ initial explanations.
Medical professionals attempt to save a child's life in an ambulance
When questioned by police, Moore and Smith allegedly provided conflicting accounts of the events leading to Cali’s death. Moore claimed she had left Cali in Smith’s care and returned to find the child unresponsive. Smith, however, allegedly told a different story, stating he heard Moore yelling at Cali, followed by the sounds of the child being slammed against furniture.
Former crime scene investigator Alina Burroughs, weighing in on the case, highlighted the commonality of conflicting narratives in infant death cases. She emphasized that the severity and nature of Cali’s injuries, particularly the internal bleeding and organ damage, are inconsistent with a simple fall from a bed, as initially suggested by the accused.
Crime scene tape cordons off an area during a police investigation.
Burroughs further explained that the injuries align with signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome, a severe form of abuse that occurs when an infant is violently shaken. She noted that crying, a common trigger for this type of abuse, was allegedly mentioned in Smith’s statement, raising further suspicion.
Adding to the shocking nature of the case, it was revealed that Kaa Moore was already out on bond for a previous aggravated child abuse charge involving an eight-year-old victim. Meanwhile, Dejon Smith also has a disturbing history of alleged violence, including charges related to firing a gun during a custody exchange.
The tragic death of Cali Moore serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the devastating consequences of abuse. As the investigation continues, both Moore and Smith face charges of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child abuse neglect, and first-degree murder. The possibility of the death penalty looms over the case, reflecting the severity of the alleged crimes and the profound loss of a young life.
