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Woman abused boyfriend's baby daughter
Posted: 11.14.2011 at 3:37 PM
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Melissa Alexander  / Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- El Paso County Court officials have released details about a child abuse case that led to the arrest of the father's girlfriend.

Colorado Springs Police officers arrested 27-year-old Melissa Alexander Thursday on child abuse charges after learning Alexander had abused her new boyfriend's 1-year-old daughter.

According to court documents, Alexander began a relationship with 22-year-old Matthew Strickland in August and has been the primary caretaker for Strickland's 1-year-old daughter, Jocilynn Graham, since Oct. 24 when Strickland deployed to Fort Polk, La. for U.S. Army training.

Officers received a call from Alexander Wednesday saying Jocilynn fell and was unresponsive. They later learned Alexander was putting on makeup in the bathroom while Jocilynn was sitting on a loveseat in a home in the 1000 block of Zamora Circle. Alexander came out to check on Jocilynn, who was trying to get into a foam children's chair on the cushion of the loveseat. She put Jocilynn back on the loveseat and continued with her makeup.

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Alexander said she heard a thud, and when she came back out to the living room, she saw Jocilynn on her back with her eyes open, gasping for air and not responding.

Alexander took Jocilynn to a neighbor's house, then called 911.

While interviewing Alexander, officers learned she had abused Jocilynn several times prior to the Wednesday fall.

On Nov. 7, Alexander said she was walking with Jocilynn when Jocilynn slipped. Alexander grabbed Jocilynn's arm to catch her and pull her up, causing bruising on Jocilynn's arm. Later that day, Alexander said she threw a sippy cup at Jocilynn because she was upset and tired.

She also said Jocilynn fell onto beads in the apartment, which also caused an arm bruise.

On Tuesday, Alexander's 2-year-old son Gavin hit Jocilynn on the head with a plastic bucket.

On Wednesday morning, Alexander admitted she pushed Jocilynn backwards onto the floor because she was not cooperating when Alexander was trying to change her diaper.

She also dropped Jocilynn onto the floor that day, causing her to hit her head.

Officers did not say what condition Jocilynn was in but said she was hospitalized after falling off the loveseat.

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