DISCLAIMER: This article contains graphic details regarding the ongoing investigation into the August 31 death of a four-year-old child.
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DECATUR - WAND News has obtained Decatur Police sworn statements regarding the death of a 4-year-old Wednesday afternoon.
Decatur police say Darrell Reynolds, Jr., 29, and Dal'von Taylor-Reynolds, 26, were arrested in connection with the death of 4-year-old Amarrah Reynolds. Darrell Reynolds, Jr. is facing a preliminary charge of manslaughter or reckless homicide, while Dal'von Taylor-Reynolds is facing a preliminary charge of endangering the life and health of a child, resulting in death.
The Macon County Coroner released a statement with the results from the autopsy. The preliminary autopsy results indicated acute subdural hemorrhages to the brain and multiple contusions consistent with blunt force head trauma. The coroner tells WAND News the extensive injuries to the body are consistent with non-accidental, inflicted trauma. Coroner, Michael Day says the head injuries were in fact the cause of death.
According to Decatur Police sworn statements, officers were dispatched to Decatur Memorial Hospital on August 31 for a report of an unresponsive child. Upon arriving, officers say they found "numerous areas of scabbing and bruising covering Amarrah's entire body," in addition to "a concentrated area of healing and fresh wounds on the inside of her thighs." Police also say Amarrah would later die from her injuries.
Decatur police say detectives spoke with Darrell Reynolds, Jr. at the hospital, and that Darrell "made statements at that time that Amarrah had been 'acting up' lately and putting her in 'time out' was not working." Decatur police also say Darrell stated he struck Amarrah with a black belt so many times "he lost count." According to the police sworn statements, Darrell then told detectives that Amarrah suddenly appeared "dazed," and fell over, striking her head on the television, wall, and floor. Police say Darrell made several statements at the hospital about how he "knew it was abuse" and that he was "sorry."
Decatur police also say they spoke with Amarrah's mother, Dal'von Taylor Reynolds. According to the sworn statements, Dal'von told detectives that "Darrell has been abusing Amarrah for approximately two years," and that she "she knew the abuse was occurring and never reported it to police or DCFS." Additionally, Decatur police say Dal'von stated that "Darrell was also abusive towards her, which prevented her from reporting the abuse."
We have included the entire sworn statement from Decatur Police in this article. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
