FLINT -- A Flint mother is charged with first-degree child abuse as her three-year-old son remains in critical condition in the hospital. 23-year-old Aleesha Wyatt appeared in court Thursday afternoon.
She allegedly took her son, Jordin Parkes, to the hospital on Nov. 1 after finding bruises all over his body.
Officials said the toddler was beaten over a series of days and had fractured bones. He also had bleeding in his brain.
Police had previously arrested Wyatt's boyfriend, Robert Martin III. He also is charged with first-degree abuse.
Community balloon releases and candle light vigils have been held for little Jordin.
Police said Wyatt also has a young daughter; they reportedly found signs of abuse on that child as well.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton is saying Dominick's Law will play a role in this case. It provides stiffer penalties for child abusers. A first-degree conviction will now land offenders in prison for life. The previous maximum sentence was 15 years.
Four-year-old Dominick Calhoun was tortured and murdered in April 2010. His mother, Corrine Baker, and her boyfriend, Brandon Hayes, were both convicted in his death.
Dominick’s grandfather, Rick Calhoun, pushed for stiffer penalties for child abusers.
“I do know it's going to work,” Calhoun said about the law.
“And I do know that we're going to make a difference. I don't even look at how many or whatever. If it saved one child's life, wow, right?”
Rick Calhoun helped draft Dominick's law. Gov. Rick Snyder signed it back in June.
