Toddler beaten to death for Potty training accident, Parents arrested

[Ninja0980]

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/syracuse_police_to_announce_mo.html
This poor child's "father' spent nearly an hour beating with a metal rod, a cable cord, bedsprings and his fists. Then he went to school. Mom called 911 when she got home at 3 but too little too late. She admitted she also beat the baby for the potty training accident. Here's hoping they have an "accident" of their own.

[Jaded]

Jeezus. A 15-year-old father and an 18-year-old mother. A disaster waiting to happen. Christ..I feel so bad for that little girl.

[Sickia]

Omg....Mom is 18, Boy-fiend is 15...and after the beating the baby was left alone to die

This is sickening. There is so much wrong with this situation that I can't think straight (that, and the nausea)

Who lets a 15 year old live with their girlfriend?
They would leave the baby in the home alone to go to school?

Should we say "Way to go, you care about your education?" I would say, "Hey, you with the baby, where the fuck are your parents" but what's the point.

[Jaded]

I'm gonna get these fuckers on the front page tomorrow morning. Gawd...the whole thing just makes me wanna puke.

[Tazzzz]

Here is some more updated stuff So Jaded:

Cherron Patterson, 18,

http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2008/11/Cherron%20Patterson.jpg

Detectives have charged Anthony Weakfall Jr., 15, of 124 Fage Ave. with her death. Police Chief Gary Miguel said Weakfall spent nearly an hour beating the toddler with a metal rod, a cable cord, bedsprings and his fists. He then left to attend Corcoran High School.

Imani's teen mother, Cherron Patterson,18,of 124 Fage Ave., returned home shortly before 3 p.m.Friday and found the youngster who was almost unrecognizable. She called 911.

Patterson and Weakfall for several weeks had been leaving her alone in the apartment all day while they went to school.

Not being totaly cold hearted the wonderful parents left food for the 20 month old child ::rolls eyes::

Apparently in statements, the child has been left alone while they have gone to school on numerous occasions including yesterday. They left chicken nuggets for the little girl to eat. When they came home from school they found the child dead. Poor thing died by herself.

Police have charged Weakfall with murder; Patterson was charged with felony assault and endangering the welfare of a child because she admitted to investigators that she, too, had beaten the baby because of potty-training accidents.

Sue Weibezahl Porter will have a full report on this story in Sunday's Post-Standard.

Patterson is being held at the justice center jail on $50,000 cash bail or bond. No bail has been set for Weakfall, who is at Hillbrook because of his age.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/syracuse_police_to_announce_mo.html



R.I.P. little baby Imani

[thatsmallgrl]

Yeah, I really shouldn't read this stuff while I'm at work. I'm crying here at my desk. I HATE PEOPLE! And furthermore, I hate teenagers! And that's not to be bitchy, I hated teenagers while I was a teenager.

Anyway, I've noticed that my little area of hell has been featured a lot here lately. I should get a prize, lol.

I just don't understand it. If they kids had a baby at such a young age and wanted to finish school, then more power to them. But come on now, where the HELL were their own parents? What parent in their right mind would let their 15yr live outside the home with the mama of their baby.

I'm sure both of their families were aware of the situation, there was not ONE person on either side that could've watched that poor baby! Just a sad situation.......

[blue_zombie]

This makes me seething fucking mad. How could anybody be so careless? At 15 & 18 you might not have a shred of a fucking clue, but you should STILL know better than to leave a child alone. Not to mention NOT beating the hell out of the poor defenseless child. I'm sorry, were the parents fucking perfect????? HELL NO, why would they expect the poor child to be???? I hope these people get shanked in jail.

As far as the baby goes, thankfully, even though it was a completely senseless criminal act against her, she's in a better place. RIP Angel Baby

[AussieMum]

I don't think I can type a proper paragraph in response to this....

That poor little baby!!

She was left alone all day, routinely!!
She was 20 months old, she was doing exceptionally well to even be a little bit potty trained.
She was almost unrecognisable when her mother found her!!
He was 15 she was 18, bloody heck. They needed help.

Poor beautiful baby girl, you are in Gods loving arms now. Be safe.

[AussieMum]

Syracuse, NY.---It's just so hard reading the details of Imani Jennings' death. Imani is the 20-month-old girl who was literally beaten for much of her short life. My colleague Sue Weibezahl Porter will have a full report in Sunday's paper.

Here's the gist of what we know. A neighbor who rushed to help Imani's 18-year-old mother found the baby lying on the couch with her face injured so badly her eyes were swollen shut. The baby was covered with bruises down to her waist, according to Peaches Huddleston, a neighbor and distant relative.

Syracuse police charged Imani's mother and her 15-year-old boyfriend in connection with her death. The child's mother, Cherron Patterson, was charged with assault and her boyfriend, Anthony Weakfall, was charged with second-degree murder. Police said Anthony spent an hour Friday beating the toddler with a metal rod, a cable cod, bedsprings and his fists. After beating the child, he went to Corcoran High School.

"This little girl endured a living hell ... If you saw this kid and all the injuries on her body, you would throw up," said Sergeant Tom Connellan, a spokesman for the Syracuse police department.

Teen-age pregnancy is a fact of life in this country, regardless of race or socio-economic background. As I pondered Imani's death, I thought about the grandmothers in some of the city's poorest neighborhoods who keep tabs on the teen moms in their neighborhood.

http://blog.syracuse.com/metrovoices/2008/11/syracuse_toddler_endured_a_liv.html

[Tazzzz]

Looks like the shitty mommy is pregnant with another child from her loving 15 year old rommie.

News commenter said the baby is not the 15 year olds it some one elses:

Before anyone starts bashing the baby's father, Anthony Weakfall was not the baby's father and everyone including the writer of this story needs to get the facts right. Look at the last name of the baby, the mother and the boyfriend. The baby's father's last name happens to be JENNINGS. How do I know, because he is my cousin and my cousin was trying to get custody of this baby. He is a good father. The mother would not even let him see the baby. She was messed up from the beginning and social services did not do anything about it. You need to be careful what you write. There is a family involved here and we are very hurt.

Also this :

To the person who asked about the baby's father (my cousin) yes he was a good father, when he first found out about this baby, he was a student at Buffalo State College. He planned on marrying this girl to take care of this baby. Because he comes from a generation of good men. He tried to be the best father he could but while he was in school, she went astray. He just recently came home giving up college so that he could be with his daughter only to find out that the mother and her family would not allow him to see her. Yes he does work and yes, he spent as much time as he was allowed. He was trying to get custody of this baby. The system does not work in the father's favor. Must prove mother is unfit. All she had to do was give our family that baby. It's sad to say but if you're receiving assistance, what young person that you know will give up the child. She only wanted the check and not the baby and if not a check whatever other benefits she could receive. This is very sad. Please be prayful, because we are a praying family.

Lets do some math shall we?? Mother is 18, Baby is 20 months, 9 months for gestation, that means 29 months, 29 months minus 18 years, Hmmmm Golly gee wiz, that means mommy was 15ish when this turd fuck, ass hat, real father was doing the nastey bumb with mommy. He was a student at Buffalo State College, making him, uhh 18 or 19 ? Yah Mr. nice guy Cuz, a pillar of our comunity.

[Ninja0980]

D'oh, my apologies in the beginning. I was too seething with rage and I thought the 15 year old was the father, bad ninja! There will be another full update tommorrow but I expect the fifteen year old WILL and should be charged as an adult. And of course Mom is pregnant again... can we sterlize worthless pieces of garbage like this... PLEASE?

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I wouldn't place too much faith in the google map thing - They show truck in our driveway that we haven't owned in almost 4 years.

[WryBread]

Why didn't the bio-penis-father tell teh mother she could keep the checks, just give him the baby? Did bio-babydaddy want the check, too? Did his entire family not have enough money to raise a baby without a check? Check. Check. Check. Why are babies now associated with incoming cash? Perhaps we need to put a stop to these programs. Never thought I would say that, but maybe it is the right thing to do. Without checkie, maybe give up baby?

[Tazzzz]

Here is a photo of the ASS HAT, FUCK TARD child beater mother fucking.....

Anthony Weakfall AKA "AMP"

http://a854.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_a8d72c639c75bc9d3cc0b8673098111d.jpg

http://a945.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/105/l_a9c8336c7c69dcdce56f4c069c390708.jpg


Here is his THUG wannabee Myspace page: @MP @LLL D@Y 3V3RY D@Y ( Amp all day every day)

Mood: crazy

His museing over life:
IM GETT-N TIRED OF PUNK ASS NI**** THINK-N DEY HARD BUT AINT SHIT REAL. IM ALSO TIRED OF FAKE ASS GIRLZ THINK-N DEY CN JUS CUM UP AND SPREAD DERE PUSSSY IN NI***** FACE AND THINK IT'S OK. AND IM ALSO TIRED OF BITCHEZ SAYIN NI**** AINT REAL WIT DERE RELATIONSHIP AND DEY NO BETTER. FUCK ALL YALL!!! YA DIGG

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=108402568

You can see in his picts he is a pretty pumped up guy for his size.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

He sure is full of himself. Wonder how long that will last? Soon he will be full of Bubba.

Illiterate asshat babykiller.

[Ninja0980]

Other than the horrible gramer splashed throughout the page, I also noticed how bulked up he is. Betting everyone will be really impressed at how the big bag guy beat a helpless baby.

[Tazzzz]

He sure is full of himself. Wonder how long that will last? Soon he will be full of Bubba.

Illiterate asshat babykiller.

LoL, Full of Bubba. Thats a good one.

I still cant get over what the mother said, when the cops asker her about leaving her 20 month old child home, all day by herself. What about food? What did she eat? " Ohh we left her some chicken nuggets incase she got hungry!". WTF !!! Uhh hello thats chokeing food, not to mention WHAT ???.

[DarkPrincess]

The mother is 18 going on 80. She looks fucking terrible.

[RaVen Blackehart]

Other than the horrible gramer splashed throughout the page, I also noticed how bulked up he is. Betting everyone will be really impressed at how the big bag guy beat a helpless baby.

'Roid rage, perhaps?

[crickett]

He sure is full of himself. Wonder how long that will last? Soon he will be full of Bubba.

Illiterate asshat babykiller.

Try this asswipe as an ADULT...'cause killing babies is an adult crime...needs to do adult time...with Bubba (Bubba don't like baby killers)
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/crickett85/bubu.jpg

[Tazzzz]

'Roid rage, perhaps?

I was kind of thinking that myself, for a 16 year old to be that pumped up, thats some serious amount of time and dedication. But roids would explain why he acted the way he did with the child.
NOT that it excuses it in any way.

[silvahalo68]

My sister who was barely 17 when she had her son never wanted her son and the father, older guy, didn't want anything to do with being a father. After my sister had her baby, I was there almost every day for the first several months, (I wasn't a mother yet).
Many a night I stayed over or had the baby at my home...to this day I take an invested interest in my nephew because his mama, my sister, is still learning how to be a good mother.
I was so afraid that she and her stupid boyfriend would hurt or leave the baby alone. She even told me that she was too young to handle a crying baby for hours and hours. Now, I'm not saying that all young mothers are going to do stupid things, I know some exceptional young mothers, but the lack of maturity in most teenage mothers puts the baby at risk for injury or worse.

These asswipes had no business caring for a baby, the family should have intervened.

The idea that this sweet baby girl was left to die alone just takes my breath away....kisses baby girl.

Sweet baby Imani rest in peace.
http://i37.tinypic.com/ie4bad.jpg

[AussieMum]

My sister who was barely 17 when she had her son never wanted her son and the father, older guy, didn't want anything to do with being a father. After my sister had her baby, I was there almost every day for the first several months, (I wasn't a mother yet).
Many a night I stayed over or had the baby at my home...to this day I take an invested interest in my nephew because his mama, my sister, is still learning how to be a good mother.
I was so afraid that she and her stupid boyfriend would hurt or leave the baby alone. She even told me that she was too young to handle a crying baby for hours and hours. Now, I'm not saying that all young mothers are going to do stupid things, I know some exceptional young mothers, but the lack of maturity in most teenage mothers puts the baby at risk for injury or worse.

These asswipes had no business caring for a baby, the family should have intervened.

The idea that this sweet baby girl was left to die alone just takes my breath away....kisses baby girl.

Sweet baby Imani rest in peace.
http://i37.tinypic.com/ie4bad.jpg

your sister is a very lucky lady and so is your nephew.

But yes I totally agree with you. Yes there is some wonderful teenage parents but to be a parent you need to put your baby first and many teenagers are still babies themselves (in maturity).

I'm still horified and in disbelief that he bashed this little girl for an hour! And with objects!! My 3 year old still has toilet training accidents, perhaps that's what I'm doing wrong. I haven't beaten the life out of her.

Prayers, hugs and kisses for you Imani.

[Vilijonkka]

I'd think if these ignorant pieces of shit would bother finding out stuff they'd know 20-month old is quite young to be potty trained. And beatings won't really help in that matter.

And the child spending the days by herself - I'm sick in my stomach. Poor poor baby girl, she must have been so lonely and scared. And IN CASE SHE GOT HUNGRY ---- I can't go on. Too nauseated.

Baby girl, you are safe now. Sleep tight, angel.

[mpratt]

First and foremost, Rest in Peace Imani. I am so sorry that you had to endure a life like this. XOXOXO


I have so many problems with this story, my head is spinning.

Where the fluck were these teenagers parents? Why would you let your 15 year old live with a woman & baby, when they are still a baby themselves? I take it her parents were the same way. Why didn't any of them step in, knowing that they were going to school.. Didn't they think they needed help? UGGGHHHHH.... Come'on everyone lets turn the other way, why we let shit like this happen...

I firmly believe in a great education, regardless what type of shool they are in. My problem is, you need to learn the basics, but the most important thing you need to learn in life is : LIFE SKILLS
I know quite a few people that are having to work 2 jobs in order to support their household. So who is raising they child, the day care. What I am trying to say, is either parents aren't home to teach their child, right from wrong. OR, there is dickweeds out there, that don't care about their children. They don't teach their children any life skills. So the point of this story, why can't we teach in more in schools? Because apparently, these little fuckers didn't even have their parents active in their lives. SO THE CYCLE CONTINUES.... and more excuses, "I was abused as a child", "I didn't know better" blah, blah, blah..... Maybe I am wrong you can't fucking teach common sense... Bastards......

[moonlilly1981]

She wasn't even two yet. :dong: Breaks my heart it really does. Left alone, scared, and hurt for hours only to die alone. No one should have to go through that. Exspecailly a child. My son is three and still has an accident every now and again. But I would never think of hitting him. Not even a smack on the bum. This world is full of pieces of shit like this woman and her penis. We just need to kill them all.

[evervigilant]

Even when they're getting older some kids have bed wetting problems . My partner told me when he was wee , he used to dream he was in the bathroom and just go lol . If you can't cope with a potty accident what are you going to do when you have sheets to wash during the night , and a child you have to bath again ?
I had my first baby when I was 16 , I breast fed him until he was 2 . I was afraid to leave the room in case he stopped breathing on me . I read so many leaflets about cotdeath and meningitis etc that I hardly slept a wink for ages , even when he was sleeping through the night . When he was old enough to make a mess , I was grateful that he could , that he was healthy and normal . Not sitting in a wheelchair unable to do anything . I think I'm the youngest mum out of the boys in his class , and I've done a better job with him than some of those older mums have with their kids . He's almost 12 now and I have 2 younger kids too . Everyday I read stories like the one above on here and my heart breaks , I'll cuddle my little ones tighter tonight !

[Abroad]

Too bad the authorities scared you silly with all the well-intended information, Evervigilant. And glad to hear your son has turned out so well.

Thank you for proving that teenage mothers don't have to be selfish.

[Peeperann]

An HOUR?? A fucking HOUR?? I can't get past the point he beat that baby for an HOUR!!!

I'll have to come back later, have to go puke now....................

[Abroad]

An HOUR?? A fucking HOUR?? I can't get past the point he beat that baby for an HOUR!!!

I'll have to come back later, have to go puke now....................

Needs to do something with those muscles he has been cultivating, now, doesn't he? :puke:

[evervigilant]

Too bad the authorities scared you silly with all the well-intended information, Evervigilant. And glad to hear your son has turned out so well.

Thank you for proving that teenage mothers don't have to be selfish.

His dad and I are still together too and both of our families are wonderful . That has certainly been a big help . I never actually needed help with the kids , but knowing it's there if I do is good .

[Abroad]

His dad and I are still together too and both of our families are wonderful . That has certainly been a big help . I never actually needed help with the kids , but knowing it's there if I do is good .

Must be reassuring. And that in itself doubtless gave you even more confidence to deal with things yourself.

It is a pity those who need it most often have no help at all.... Or worse than no help, in some cases :dong:

[evervigilant]

I agree , some help you could do without ! I just saw the child abuse statistics for England and Wales and I couldn't believe it . Seems like an epidemic . Britain is kept in the dark too much about these cases , human rights of abusers seems to come first .

[silvahalo68]

http://i36.tinypic.com/212z69h.jpg

[queenpunkr]

Did that say he beat that poor baby with a bedspring?!?! WTF is wrong with people. I don't care how old you are even my 8 year old knows not to hit babies. I'm voting for forced sterilization and hoping Bubba beats his ass good before anally violating this dickcheese M*f*er

[thatsmallgrl]

After obtaining a search warrant, Police found objects they believe Weakfall and Patterson used to beat Jennings with, and blood on the walls and furniture.

Patterson and Weakfall were arraigned this morning, Patterson is charged with 2ND Degree Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bail was set at $50,000. Weakfall is charged with 2ND Degree Murder. No bail has been set. Weakfall will be charged and tried as a juvenile defender.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27857480/

Here's hoping these pathetic excuses for human beings get what's coming to them. I just re-read this and I just noticed that the kid that actually killed the poor baby is only being charged as a youth. WTF?! This POS needs to be tried as an adult, given that he spent AN HOUR beating the poor kid and then without thought, left....... I'm thinking he knew exactly what he was doing? Our justice system sucks sometimes.

[Tazzzz]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27857480/

Here's hoping these pathetic excuses for human beings get what's coming to them. I just re-read this and I just noticed that the kid that actually killed the poor baby is only being charged as a youth. WTF?! This POS needs to be tried as an adult, given that he spent AN HOUR beating the poor kid and then without thought, left....... I'm thinking he knew exactly what he was doing? Our justice system sucks sometimes.

Its still to early, They have to go before a judge and he will decide how to try him. Its to violent of a crime not to charge him as an adult.

[thatsmallgrl]

Its still to early, They have to go before a judge and he will decide how to try him. Its to violent of a crime not to charge him as an adult.

Oh ok, so they can change their minds before they actually go to trial? I really hope so. As of right now, though...... It still annoys me that they wouldn't charge him as an adult right away. I mean they wanted to try the 8yr old as an adult, and he has no presence of mind. 15yr olds do. Grrrrr!

[Jaded]

These 2 asswipes are now on the front page....
http://www.dreamindemon.com/2008/11/23/imani-jennings-had-an-accident/

[Jaded]

This article states that he will be charged as an adult. I think that's a safe assumption.
Weakfall has been charged with second degree murder. He is being charged as an adult and is currently held at Hillbrook. Patterson has been charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child because police say she admitted beating her daughter in the past. Cops also say child protective services had never been to the home.
http://www.wstm.com/news/story.aspx?id=226138

[Tazzzz]

Oh ok, so they can change their minds before they actually go to trial? I really hope so. As of right now, though...... It still annoys me that they wouldn't charge him as an adult right away. I mean they wanted to try the 8yr old as an adult, and he has no presence of mind. 15yr olds do. Grrrrr!

Well I am no expert, but cases I follow they have like the first hearing were they decide if the charges merrit a trial and the defendant has to plead not guilty, then its decide were and who will preside over the case ( cival, criminal .... Even after that it will go for months and months and months of pre trial crap were each side trys to get this as evedance and that removed and they swap / share evidance and so forth.

So theres a long way to go and these people are elected by constituants , you raise a big enough stink they will try him as an adult. The judge only has to see the pict of Imani like they found her , all alone lying on the couch with her face injured so badly her eyes were swollen shut. And covered with blood and bruises down to her waist. Thats even a mild explanation toned down.

[thatsmallgrl]

So theres a long way to go and these people are elected by constituants , you raise a big enough stink they will try him as an adult. The judge only has to see the pict of Imani like they found her , all alone lying on the couch with her face injured so badly her eyes were swollen shut. And covered with blood and bruises down to her waist. Thats even a mild explanation toned down.

Thank you. That makes more sense to me. I also see that there are more articales staing he's being tried as an adult. Sorry, I just got really riled up when I read the first one.

And yeah, mild.......I hope Bubba finds some metal rods and bed springs and makes them this kid's sex toys.

[nurseronda]

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/nurseronda/large_jenningscrop-1.jpg
Imani Jennings

[Special2bme]

IM GETT-N TIRED OF PUNK ASS NI**** THINK-N DEY HARD BUT AINT SHIT REAL. IM ALSO TIRED OF FAKE ASS GIRLZ THINK-N DEY CN JUS CUM UP AND SPREAD DERE PUSSSY IN NI***** FACE AND THINK IT'S OK. AND IM ALSO TIRED OF BITCHEZ SAYIN NI**** AINT REAL WIT DERE RELATIONSHIP AND DEY NO BETTER. FUCK ALL YALL!!! YA DIGG

IM GETT-N TIRED OF MY PUNK ASS NI**** SEF I BEET MY CHLD TO DETH. I NEED TO B PUT TO DETH MYSEF. OR I NEED A BUBBA TO TAK CAR OF MY PUNK ASS SEF.

FUCKING ASSHOLE, THIS IS WHAT HIS MYSPACE SHOULD SAY. This has physically made me sick reading this article it's made me speechless. And someone commented just over potty training. Oh hell no he would have done this over anything it just happened to be potty training at the time.

[Tazzzz]

Imani Jennings

What a sweet child, Its a real shame what he did to her. How can anyone do that to this baby.

I kind of liked the bigger version better nurseronda, Ass Hat looked baked in the pict, and like he didnt belong in it and only did it cause he had to.

It looked like it was this years Christmas picture of the 3 of them. Mommy even looked happy in it and Imani has the cutest little grin going.

[Maggie Mae]

Police say the crime scene is disturbing, with blood all over the walls. Their investigation is continuing.
-shudder-

[nurseronda]

What a sweet child, Its a real shame what he did to her. How can anyone do that to this baby.

I kind of liked the bigger version better nurseronda, Ass Hat looked baked in the pict, and like he didnt belong in it and only did it cause he had to.

It looked like it was this years Christmas picture of the 3 of them. Mommy even looked happy in it and Imani has the cutest little grin going.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/nurseronda/large_jenningscrop.jpg
I just wanted a picture of Imani, not of the assholes that killed her...but will post the picture.

[AussieMum]

I feel even worse for poor little Imani by actually seeing her.

She's just a little baby. No-one in their right mind would expect her to be toilet trained!! The mum perhaps needed some parenting for young mums classes but the boyfriend is just totally messed up.

Actually, come to think of it, why would an 18 year old woman even be dating a 15 year old boy??

[crickett]

The girl is 7 months pregnant AGAIN? Who was going to watch this one? Maybe the 2 year old, if they hadn't fucking KILLED her? OMG

[thatsmallgrl]

The girl is 7 months pregnant AGAIN? Who was going to watch this one? Maybe the 2 year old, if they hadn't fucking KILLED her? OMG

Just a thought, if she is prego with this sick fuck's baby, can't she be charged with stautory rape?
Thank God, she won't be able to keep this child. And knowing this area's track record....... I really hope this time around DDS does NOT give this baby to a member of this family! They obviously didn't give a shit about the first baby, don't think they will giving one about this new one.

[Tazzzz]

Just a thought, if she is prego with this sick fuck's baby, can't she be charged with stautory rape?
Thank God, she won't be able to keep this child. And knowing this area's track record....... I really hope this time around DDS does NOT give this baby to a member of this family! They obviously didn't give a shit about the first baby, don't think they will giving one about this new one.

New York is one of thoughs weird states that has different age of consents for a male and a female. I think its 15 for a boy and 17 for a girl.

So in this case she was within the state laws reguarding age of consent. But for her babys father it would have been stautory rape and probly why it was so easy for her to keep him away from the baby.

[Ninja0980]

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/vigil_today_for_slain_syracuse.html

Here's a shocker for all of us (NOT!) Turns out people knew this child was being abused. Here's a quote from one of the grandmother's.

"Any place where Imani had bare skin, they'd smack her. They'd smack her till she screamed and then tell her to shut up. I told Cherron that he (Weakfall) has no business putting his hands on that baby. It's not his child."

And of course, all now say they wish they had done something. Too little too late. The baby beating bastard is still at Hillbrook but I imagine he'll be certified in one of his upcoming appearences.

[Jaded]

From Ninja's link....
This is her first arrest, Amy Patterson said. Both Amy Patterson and Jennings said they did not call authorities about the harsh discipline.
But they never called the police or Child Protective Services officials because he didn't believe his daughter was in danger, Jennings said.
Amy Patterson said she holds Weakfall and her daughter both responsible for Imani's death.

"I love my daughter. But now she has to live with something the rest of her life. They both have to live with this the rest of their lives," Patterson said.

How can these people live with themselves now? Any one of them had a chance to step in and possibly save that little girl. How fuckin hard is it to pick up a damn phone and report the abuse? All of em suck! Fuckheads...

[Tazzzz]

From Ninja's link....

How can these people live with themselves now? Any one of them had a chance to step in and possibly save that little girl. How fuckin hard is it to pick up a damn phone and report the abuse? All of em suck! Fuckheads...

Jesus, I threw up in my mouth reading that shit. I pray to God neither one of them gets the bun in the oven.

[Jaded]

Jesus, I threw up in my mouth reading that shit. I pray to God neither one of them gets the bun in the oven.

I agree! That little bun should be placed with a family far, far away from those assholes.

[Ninja0980]

Maybe they heard about the Erin Maxwell case - also near where I live. Numerous people called CPS and they determined despite the crappy conditions she was living in she was being fed enough. End result of course is she ends up dead.

[thatsmallgrl]

Maybe they heard about the Erin Maxwell case - also near where I live. Numerous people called CPS and they determined despite the crappy conditions she was living in she was being fed enough. End result of course is she ends up dead.

Yeah that was a sad situation too. I also live pretty close to this crap. I believe her killer is going to trial soon.

And this poor family really has no right to cry "oohh boohoo, we didn't know it was this bad" Fucking retards. What did they think, that when they were alone she treated the kid better? I hate people. I wish that stupid POS grandmother could be charged with something, 'cause she could've stopped this from escalating to the point where it ended up. Scum bag!

[AussieMum]

I've been trying to work out why the grandparents didn't step in to help raise this little girl and now I've read they witnessed her being 'smacked' (more like beaten) and did nothing.

So I guess this was acceptable behaviour and probably how the kids were brought up themselves (I'm sure that will be part of the defence).
Unbelievable, how do you watch your grand daughter being hit (not a little smack) and do nothing??

I will never knock a parent for giving 1 small smack on the bottom or hand (no other place and only 1). I'm not saying this is right or wrong to do but 1 single smack is not the end of the world.
Its when people go past that it becomes a problem AND people witnessing that need to do something, make a phone call, report it anonymously if need be ... but DO SOMETHING!!

[Ninja0980]

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/fowler_teachers_tell_of_teen_m.html

You knew one of these stories would come out. Sorry, she still helped beat her own defenseless child and let her penis beat her even more. I don't care if she's the next Mother Thresea, she's also a child murderer

[weavergroupie]

Baby beating never occurred to me when I was working out. It sure seems to have helped this idiot get some muscles though.

RIP baby girl.

Burn in hell Mom and Penis.

[Morticia]

It is no wonder I can not sleep at night

[nurseronda]

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/nurseronda/small_Diane20Shakir.jpg
Syracuse day care provider accused of failing to report abuse is arraigned

Diane E. Shakir is accused of spotting, and taking pictures of, bruises on the buttocks of two weeks before 20-month-old Imani Jennings was found beaten to death in her home on Nov. 21.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/daycare_provider_charged_with.html

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Shakir noticed the child had "redness on her buttocks and significant pain such that the child was unwilling to sit down."

"On Nov. 3, 2008, the defendant (Shakir) observed dark, scabbed over 'brush burn' like sores on the child's buttocks. The defendant also observed old bruises to the child's side and dirty, unwashed skin," court documents state.

When Shakir brought the bruises to the attention of Jenning's mother, the mother told Shakir, "that's what you get for peeing and boo-booing in my bed," court records state.
I hope she was well paid because I doubt she'll be working much any more.

[Ninja0980]

I'm betting by the time this is all over, there will have been countless people who knew what was happening to this girl and did nothing. I quit counting after the father, grandmother, neighbor and this daycare provider did nothing to stop it.

[thatsmallgrl]

http://news10now.com/Default.aspx?ArID=129153

They arrested a daycare worker for not reporting abuse. At least someone is being accountable for not preventing this terrible tragedy. Too bad they don't go and haul both families off to jail too.

[thatsmallgrl]

Oh shoot I didn't realize this was already posted. Sorry. Well still though, at least someone else was arrested.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Oh shoot I didn't realize this was already posted. Sorry. Well still though, at least someone else was arrested.
That's fine because your link has this lovely little snippet to add to the clusterfuck:
Police say Shakir did tell Imani's mother Cherron Patterson that she saw the injuries. Soon after, Patterson stopped bringing her daughter to the daycare.

"So they became leery of that fact, didn't return to the daycare, because they had anticipated that they would be reported. And had they been reported at that point in time, we have many not have had such a tragic ending," said Miguel.

[nurseronda]

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh20/nurseronda/large_112608Funeral2db.jpg
Relatives of Imani Jennings (from left: Shamerra Tillman, Cimon Billue and Wendy Williams) mourn as the toddler's body is taken from the Tucker Missionary Baptist Church in Syracuse after the girl's funeral. Second from right (with hand on casket) is Reverend Leslie Johnson and at right is funeral director Joseph Farone.

I wonder where all these relative were when this child needed help.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/despite_public_aid_no_one_chec.html

[Tazzzz]

I wonder where all these relative were when this child needed help.

Thats because there were no news cameras around then.

[AussieMum]

Sweet Angel, I hope you celebrated a lovely Christmas in heaven with the angels.

[thatsmallgrl]

Syracuse, NY -- Taxpayers paid for day care, housing, food and health care for a Syracuse toddler who was beaten to death, but no one was required to regularly check on the baby or family.
Twenty-month-old Imani Jennings and her mother, Cherron Patterson, 18, received services from five county programs and were in Family Court for a custody case. Patterson also regularly attended high school.

There are no periodic checks on a baby because social services programs are voluntary, and staff members are not required to keep tabs on people receiving such services unless there's a report of abuse or neglect, Onondaga County officials said.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/despite_public_aid_no_one_chec.html

This kind of pisses me off. Why shouldn't there be mandatory checks on these people? Had tere been, this wouldn't of happened. Among all the people who saw the abuse and did nothing, this might've been poor little Imani's saving grace. New York sucks when it comes to protecting children. I lived in this state for 21yrs and they still have yet to do some reform to the social services areas. Absolutely rediculous.

[Morticia]

PUT THESE TWO TO SLEEP.

:banghead:

[Tazzzz]

Cherron Patterson
http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2008/11/medium_Cherron%20Patterson.JPG


Cherron Patterson just gave birth to Anthony Weakfall's baby. Its a girl, she named "Myriame Israel Patterson". She told the courts she wanted her Grandma to have custody of her. The courts said Fuck No!! , Granny has a history of child abuse allegations going back to 1987. Cherron's mother " Amy Patterson" cant take the baby because she is currently preggers and going to have her 8th child about the same time and cant handle 2 infants at the same time. Ohh did I forget to mention Amy lived with her mother?? Yes the same one with all the child abuse allegations. I sure hope they tied her tubes up this time, for fuck sake. Freaking baby factory.


A judge gave Onondaga County temporary custody of a girl born Thursday to the Syracuse woman whose other daughter was beaten to death in November.

Family Court Judge Bryan Hedges late Thursday afternoon signed an order temporarily removing the baby from Cherron Patterson's custody and placing her in the custody of the county Department of Social Services for her own protection.

The Onondaga County Attorney's Office sought the court order on an emergency basis based on the allegations surrounding the death of Patterson's 20-month-old daughter, Imani Jennings, in November.

Weakfall is identified in Family Court papers as the father of the baby girl - Myriame Israel - Patterson gave birth to Thursday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center.

The county moved to have the court act after Patterson declined to consent to a temporary placement of her new daughter in foster care, Deputy County Attorney Maggie Seikaly told Hedges.

Defense lawyer Christina Cagnina indicated in court that Patterson had worked out an agreement to have her grandmother take custody of the baby once the infant is released from the hospital. But Social Services caseworker Charles LaDuca testified the county objected because the grandmother has a history of child abuse allegations dating back to 1987.

LaDuca said there was no other relative the county found acceptable. He said the baby was likely to be kept in the hospital for 48 hours before being placed in temporary foster care.

Seikaly said Patterson was to be returned to the county Justice Center jail when she is released.

The petition to remove the baby from Patterson's custody was based on the abuse allegations involving Jennings, according to the court papers. The county claims Patterson and Weakfall routinely disciplined Jennings by striking her with numerous items, including a stick, a metal rod, a brush, a cable cord, a spring-type item and their hands. Weakfall was living with Patterson and Jennings but was not Jennings' father.

The county contends Patterson should have known Weakfall was unable to control his anger yet continued to allow him to provide care for and discipline Jennings. The court papers include allegations Patterson stopped bringing Jennings to day care after a day care provider noticed the child's injuries and that Patterson left the girl alone in the locked apartment while she and Weakfall attended school.

The circumstances surrounding Jennings' death "demonstrate that judgment and impulse control" of Patterson and Weakfall "are so deficient that the child, Myriame Israel, is likely to be harmed," the county charged.

The paperwork included details of the multiple blunt force injuries Jennings sustained to the head, buttocks and lower extremities. The document indicated Jennings also suffered numerous bruises, a fractured wrist and scars from earlier injuries.

Although the district attorney's office has said Patterson could face homicide charges in Jennings' death, Cagnina said Thursday there has been no movement on the criminal case to accomplish that as far as she knew. Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Doran, who attended the Family Court proceeding, declined comment.

Hedges gave the county until Tuesday to file its formal abuse petition on behalf of the new baby. He scheduled the lawyers to be back in court - with Patterson and Weakfall - Tuesday before Family Court Judge Martha Mulroy.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1236934576263950.xml&coll=1

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++

At Sunday's vigil, I asked Amy Patterson, Cherron's mother if she would take her grandchild. She told me one of Cherron's aunts has offered to take the child because she can't. Amy said she's pregnant and can't handle two infants.

Amy is expecting her eighth child. She lives with her mother on Bellevue Avenue. Cherron was living there before she moved into an apartment at 124 Fage Ave. in August. The Onondaga County Department of Social Services paid the rent.

Today, I asked Onondaga County Commissioner David Sutkowy about the future of Cherron's child.

Sutkowy couldn't discuss the specifics of the case because of confidentiality reasons, but he said emphatically, "that child will be safe.''

"I promise you that child will be safe,'' he said. In a case like this, the baby will be taken into foster care when it's born.

http://blog.syracuse.com/metrovoices/2008/11/syracuse_nymany_people_have_be.html

[buggysmommy]

OMG...

I just went back to the first time I read about this...I cried and cried. It was really hard for me to gain my composure that day. All I could think about is that poor little baby taking that beating for an hour and then somehow making her way to that sofa to crawl up on it and die. Makes me cry now...

I can't help but wonder why it is that it takes forever for these fuckers fate to be decided-yet that baby didn't get close to forever. Her life was so quick and taken from her so swiftly. the two should just be finished off now. I would love to be on the jury-I would convict in minutes...

I HOPE YOU BOTH SUFFER EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF YOUR EXISTENCE, TORTURED BY YOUR OWN MIND AND SELF LOATHING. I HONEST GOD-HOPE YOUR FEAR OF THE FUTURE UNTIMATELY KILLS YOU. I HATE YOU BOTH DESPERATELY...:dong:

[buggysmommy]

Cherron Patterson
http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2008/11/medium_Cherron%20Patterson.JPG


Cherron Patterson just gave birth to Anthony Weakfall's baby. Its a girl, she named "Myriame Israel Patterson". She told the courts she wanted her Grandma to have custody of her. The courts said Fuck No!! , Granny has a history of child abuse allegations going back to 1987. Cherron's mother " Amy Patterson" cant take the baby because she is currently preggers and going to have her 8th child about the same time and cant handle 2 infants at the same time. Ohh did I forget to mention Amy lived with her mother?? Yes the same one with all the child abuse allegations. I sure hope they tied her tubes up this time, for fuck sake. Freaking baby factory.




http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1236934576263950.xml&coll=1

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++



http://blog.syracuse.com/metrovoices/2008/11/syracuse_nymany_people_have_be.html

BITCH PLEASE! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO WORK OUT ANYTHING-YOU DON'T GET TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES EVER AGAIN-FUCKING BABY MURDERING WHORE!:confused2:

[Kalehue]

She told the courts she wanted her Grandma to have custody of her. The courts said Fuck No!! , Granny has a history of child abuse allegations going back to 1987. Cherron's mother " Amy Patterson" cant take the baby because she is currently preggers and going to have her 8th child about the same time and cant handle 2 infants at the same time. Ohh did I forget to mention Amy lived with her mother?? Yes the same one with all the child abuse allegations. I sure hope they tied her tubes up this time, for fuck sake. Freaking baby factory.

Wow. I hate to say it, but I'm impressed that they didn't just go ahead and release the baby to granny. They actually looked at her history and arrived at a logical, rational decision -- in the baby's best interests. Impressive.

This is such a sad story. I agree with Peeper, I just can't get over the fact that they beat that child for an hour. I mean, even if you're a baby beating pathetic excuse for a human being wouldn't you get bored with it after a few minutes? Or maybe when you see blood on the walls? Or how do you leave your baby, who has been beaten until they're unrecognizable, home to die alone with some chicken nuggets? How do you work in a day care center and see abuse and not report it -- especially when the mom pulls the kid out??? How could you not be super-alarmed by that?? Or remember that your ex- used to slap the baby upside the head when you were together, but never suspect that she might continue to abuse the child once you're no longer together?? Or see your daughter and her BF abuse your granddaughter and just say, "That's not right. It's not his child." I'm guessing it would have been okay for him to torture the child if she had been his own flesh and blood?

This child was failed by SO many people. Just nauseating...

Thanks for the update, Tazz.

[Ninja0980]

As this case is in my neck of the woods, I, like many others, are still outraged at how this little girl was failed by so many. How the hell can you stand by and watch a baby being beaten and not do anything? The line, "I should have said something" was uttered so many times by so many stupid in this case. Hon on earth you could just stand by and watch this baby get hit is beyond me. BUt seeing granny's record, I can see why.

[Special2bme]

An Onondaga County judge on Tuesday granted Cherron Patterson the right to visit with her newborn baby despite being jailed in the fatal beating of her older daughter, Imani Jennings.

Family Court Judge Martha Mulroy ordered county Department of Social Services officials to bring Myriame Israel to the jail at least once a week while Patterson remains in custody. The judge made the ruling over the objections of social services officials and Deputy County Attorney Maggie Seikaly.

Seikaly argued the county Justice Center jail was no place for an infant, but defense lawyer Christina Cagnina contended Patterson was entitled to bond with her daughter and posed no threat to the baby.

The child was born Thursday, prompting county officials to obtain an emergency order from Family Court Judge Bryan Hedges to place the child in foster care for her protection.

After Cagnina raised the issue of the baby being breast-fed, Seikaly pointed out that Patterson breast-fed the baby only once and then chose not to continue. The baby was then bottle-fed at the hospital and since being released to a foster family, the lawyer noted in asking for no visitation.

After a jail deputy informed the judge babies can be brought into the jail for visitation but the mothers cannot hold them, the judge granted visitation under jail rules.

The county Tuesday filed a formal petition charging Patterson, 18, and her boyfriend, Anthony Weakfall Jr., 16, with abusing Imani Jennings, and posing a threat to the welfare of the new child because their judgment and impulse control was "so deficient."

Court papers indicate Weakfall is the apparent father of Myriame, although Mulroy said there has been no such paternity finding.

Because of that, she rejected defense lawyer Eric Jeschke's request for Weakfall to have visitation.

Weakfall is being held in the Hillbrook Detention Center while facing a second-degree murder charge in the Nov. 21 beating death of the 20-month-old Jennings. Patterson is being held in the Justice Center jail while facing charges of felony assault and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
http://www.syracuse.com/city/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1237366693146060.xml&coll=1

I am disgusted that she is allowed to have visits with this baby. She shouldn't even be allowed to have children again.

[seductress]

That baby should be given to a good, loving, no relative home, where this bitch can never see her again and never know her again.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

nevermind... posted comment prior to coffee. :coffee:

[AussieMum]

Gosh this makes me angry. This baby should be adopted to parents who want a child. The baby shouldn't even need to enter the foster care system at all. And visitation rights!! Seriously!! Look at the treatment Imani received!! Aaarrrggghhhh!!!!!

[Dakota Valkyrie]

After a jail deputy informed the judge babies can be brought into the jail for visitation but the mothers cannot hold them, the judge granted visitation under jail rules.
She hasn't been found guilty so the courts can't do much at the moment. This is good enough for me.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

An Onondaga County Grand Jury has indicted 15-year-old Anthony Weakfall Jr. in connection to the death of 20-month-old Imani Jennings.

Weakfall is facing a 2nd degree murder charge as a juvenile offender.
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Man-indicted-in-Imani-Jennings-case/oiHFehFrgE6x6jYf0R1y6A.cspx

So will he be "let out" when he turns 18? Scary scary thought....

New photos I found of Imani:

http://i43.tinypic.com/vsnf4m.jpghttp://i40.tinypic.com/24e6v6r.jpg

[thatsmallgrl]

I think that they can stay in that environment until they are 21. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I've read that before. 18, 21 doesn't really matter, it's still not nearly long enough. Part of his release should entail getting steralized so that he can't produce anymore offspring of his own. I hate this kid, he's a fucking monster. Thanks for the update.l

[Kalehue]

I'm already out of thanks today, but thanks for the update, DV.

I found another article that says he could be sentenced to life and will serve a minimum of 7.5 to 15 years. Let's hope for life. With those possibilities, I'm not sure what other differences there would be as far as being charged as a juvenile offender except that when he does finally get out, I'm guessing the conviction won't be on his record.

An Onondaga County Grand Jury Tuesday handed up an indictment in the murder of 20-month-old Imani Jennings.

15-year-old Anthony Weakfall was indicted on a charge of second degree murder. He will be tried as a juvenile offender.

Weakfall was living with the baby's mother, Cherron Patterson, when he allegedly beat the child to death last November. He faces the possibility of life in prison, with a minimum of 7.5 years to 15 if convicted.

http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=289769

[ineedanap]

Fucking sick. So he can get out at 22-30 yrs old, reproduce and do it again?? For fuck's sake.

Is there anything we can do?? Harming/killing kids should be a felony, regardless of circumstances. We need to incite a movement, petition, something. It's just wrong. Wrong!

[thatsmallgrl]

Cherron Patterson pleaded guilty this morning to causing the death of her daughter by failing to keep her boyfriend from beating the child, and then failing to get medical treatment for the little girl's injuries.

Patterson, 18, pleaded guilty before County Judge William Walsh to a single felony count of criminally negligent homicide in the Nov. 21 death of her 20-month-old daughter, Imani Jennings.

Walsh said he would sentence Patterson to the maximum penalty of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison on May 19.
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/syracuse_woman_admits_to_crimi.html

1-4 years is not nearly enough!!!!

[Thinkgoat]

This story has stayed with me all day. There are just some stories I cannot process and this has been one.

I am glad I read through all the comments. Thank you for finding the words for me...I simply could not....

[FlightForm]

Seems most likely these pathetic morons were using the poor innocent girl as a punching bag on a semi-regular basis... However, on a side note, I want to address this potty training thing...
This is not the first time I have heard of abuse happening over potty training frusterations. People need to get it through their head that spanking/punishing (not to mention, obviously, grossly abusing) a little child for having a potty accident reverses the progress in potty training, it does not further the progress. Two things which have no place in potty training whatsoever: fear and pain.
Everybody and their dog wants to insist that their kid was potty trained at a year old, 18 months, etc. I'm sorry, I have not known ANY child who was well potty trained at the age of 2. I'm sure they exist, but my kids, all of the little kids in my family, kids of my friends, etc, were not fully potty trained till age 3. (my daughter was 3.75 years old to be specific!)
I would like to tell idiot parents who frighten the crap out of (and/or actually harm) their child over potty training: You might be tired of the pull ups and wipes, but deal with it!!! They will go in the potty when they are ready, for heaven's sake!!!

[lucky]

This story has stayed with me all day. There are just some stories I cannot process and this has been one.

I am glad I read through all the comments. Thank you for finding the words for me...I simply could not....

that's exactly why I haven't been able to comment on this thread... it's just too awful to put into words, and I doubt that I'll ever forget this story. My heart just aches for what that poor baby went through, all I keep thinking is that I wish I could have loved her... I wish anyone could have loved her enough to save her. Hugs and cuddles little one, RIP. xoxo

[nurseronda]

http://www.syracuse.com/city/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1237366693146060.xml&coll=1

I am disgusted that she is allowed to have visits with this baby. She shouldn't even be allowed to have children again.

I agree with you on this. I have this same problem with my angels. It makes me think about doing bad things to the abuser/abusers. The problem at times, is that you can still see the love that some of my angels have for them, then there are some of my angels who cry and do not want to see them. Then the worst cases, my angel don't do anything, simply because they are that bad off.

[Ninja0980]

http://www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2009/04/syracuse_woman_will_go_to_pris.html

Cherron Patterson never laid a hand on her daughter the day the child was beaten to death at home last November. In fact, authorities say Patterson was at school when her live-in boyfriend brutally beat the toddler and then left her to die in the blood-spattered apartment where they all lived on Fage Avenue.

Patterson could easily have prevented her daughter's death, but failed in her responsibilities as a mother, First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio said today. And for that, the 18-year-old Patterson will be going to state prison.


Good, this bitch is going to prison. She neglected her daughter and choose her penis over the well being and safety of a girl who couldn't care for herself. As for the rest of the article, you can pretty much see once again this little girl was failed by pretty much all the adults in her life. I hope they can live with themselves.

[Kimberley]

Who lets a 15 year old live with their girlfriend?

Horrendous parents and a way-too-lenient welfare system.

[Kalehue]

A Syracuse teen has pleaded not guilty to charges he beat his girlfriend's 20-month-old daughter to death.

Defense lawyer Eric Jeschke (JES-kee) entered a not-guilty plea for 16-year-old Anthony Weakfall Jr. in Onondaga County Court on Thursday.

Weakfall is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Imani Jennings in November.

Police say Weakfall severely beat the child the day she died and during the three weeks leading up to her death.

http://www.examiner.com/a-1977467~Syracuse_teen_pleads_not_guilty_in_toddler _s_death.html

[nurseronda]

Syracuse toddler's mother to plead guilty in death.


http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/syracuse_toddlers_mother_to_pl.html

[Kalehue]

1 1/2 to 4 years doesn't seem like nearly enough time. Hopefully she'll be sentenced to 4 years and will have to serve the full amount of time.

I wonder what will happen to the baby that's been born since she was incarcerated.

[DogMom]

Cherron Patterson sentenced for her role in baby daughter's beating death in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY -- Cherron Patterson sobbed openly in court this morning as she accepted responsibility for her role in the Nov. 21 death of her 20-month-old daughter, Imani Jennings.

But she also vowed to do everything possible to make sure the boyfriend accused of delivering the fatal beating is convicted and goes to prison for the rest of his life.

Patterson said her willingness to stay in a relationship with her boyfriend, Anthony Weakfall Jr., "cost the life of my daughter."

Patterson, 18, pleaded guilty in April to felony count of criminally negligent homicide in the death of her daughter. In pleading guilty, she admitted she:

• allowed Weakfall to severely beat Jennings,

• failed to protect her from the beatings,

• failed to seek medical attention for the child's severe injuries and

• routinely left the toddler alone in the apartment.

County Judge William Walsh today sentenced Patterson to the maximum penalty of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison. The judge somberly noted that prison sentence pales in contrast to the life sentence Patterson has imposed on herself.

First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio and defense lawyer Christina Cagnina both said Patterson had been severely abused and neglected as a child herself.

But Trunfio said that was no excuse for her failure to protect her daughter.

"Every creature in the animal kingdom has the maternal instinct to protect a child," Trunfio said. He said Patterson either didn't possess that instinct or chose to ignore it.

When a parent abandons the obligation to protect a child, the results are tragic, the prosecutor said.

Cagnina said she was not offering evidence of Patterson's abused childhood as an excuse. She said she was presenting that to provide a clearer picture of the defendant and what happened.

"Her instinct was smothered by years and years of failed parenting," Cagnina said. The lawyer said "many people sat back and did nothing along the way" when there was evidence of abuse of Patterson and her daughter, Cagnina said.

Imani's day care provider, Diane Shakir, 48, of 120 Hatch St., is charged with failure to report suspected child abuse, a misdemeanor.

The lawyer said Patterson still hopes to provide a better life for the daughter she gave birth to in March while in custody. Authorities have identified Weakfall as the father of the new child.

The county Department of Social Services moved immediately upon the birth of the new child to have her placed in foster care. A family court proceeding involving the parental rights and custody of that child is still pending.

Weakfall, who was 15 at the time Jennings was beaten to death but has since turned 16, is facing a second-degree murder charge that accuses him of recklessly killing the little girl with depraved indifference to human life.

"I don't blame anybody but myself for letting this happen," Patterson tearfully told Walsh in court. "I should have stopped this, but I didn't. I should have gotten her out of this sooner, but I didn't."

She told Walsh she wanted to make sure Weakfall "never sees the light of day again" for what he did to her daughter.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/cherron_patterson_sentenced_fo.html

[Dakota Valkyrie]

A Syracuse day care provider could face a year in jail after being found guilty of failing to report the suspected abuse of a little girl three weeks before the child was beaten to death at home.

A city court jury of six women deliberated a couple of hours this afternoon before finding Diane Shakir, 48, guilty of failing to report the suspected abuse of 20-month-old Imani Jennings after noticing bruising and redness on the child's buttocks between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3.
[...]

The verdict in Shakir case culminated a trial that began a week ago.

Shakir testified in her own defense Tuesday to claim she never suspected Jennings was being abused. She said she initially suspected diaper rash until Patterson admitted spanking the toddler.

But even then, Shakir said she didn't think the little girl was being abused.

"I honestly didn't believe Imani was being abused. She came in everyday with a smile on her face," Shakir testified.
[...]http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/jennings_day_care_provider_fou.html

[Chaindrive]

ARRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I hope she gets a year in jail.

I hope other inmates abuse her like Imani was abused.

[ineedanap]

She said she initially suspected diaper rash until Patterson admitted spanking the toddler.

News flash: A spanking that looks like diaper rash is ABUSE, people!

RIP Imani. So many who should have helped you, failed you. I'm sorry.

[biteme]

I think she's very young and made a big huge mistake, but she's not evil and probably hurting

[Dakota Valkyrie]

A 16-year-old Syracuse boy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder today in Onondaga County Court in the beating death of last November of his girlfriend’s 20-month-old child.

Anthony Weakfall Jr., 16, made the plea in exchange for two years less than the maximum sentence for a juvenile offender, 15 years to life, according to a court transcript of the plea

County Judge Joseph E. Fahey said he was reluctant to commit to a sentence of 13 years to life for Weakfall because of the “seriousness of the offense, duration of the offense, the horrendous trauma in terms of injuries” that were inflicted on Imani Jennings before her death on Nov. 21, 2008.

Fahey said he was willing to accept the 13 years-to-life plea agreement, “a sentence only two years less than I could otherwise impose,” to avoid imposing the trauma of seeing pictures of “horrendous and horrific” injuries to the child on those associated with the case and on members of a jury had the case gone to trial.

Weakfall admitted to beating Jennings between Nov. 1 and 21 last year with “metal rods and tubes, a metal spring, a coaxial cable cord causing severe injuries, bruises, contusions, lacerations and scarring over most of her body.”

The teen also admitted that he beat Jennings on Nov. 21 with his hands, a metal rod and a metal spring, inflicting a brain injury that impaired her ability to breathe, and then left the child unattended for several hours before she died of blunt-force trauma injuries at a Fage Avenue home.
[...]

Rick Trunfio, who prosecuted the case for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, said after the hearing that he was “extremely happy” with the disposition of the case.

“What we got today is a plea as charged,” Trunfio said. “We got a life sentence. He didn’t get 13 years. He got a life sentence that makes him eligible for parole in 13 years.”

Weakfall participated in a “brutal and heinous crime against an innocent baby,” Trunfio said. “The torture this baby suffered is horrendous.”
[...]
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/syracuse_teenager_pleads_guilt.html

http://i34.tinypic.com/pvyjb.jpg
Imani Jennings

[brokenandtwisted]

Ugh, does this mean he could be on the streets again before thirty?

[MadeaBecBec]

No, not necessarily. Weakfall will be able to apply for parole in thirteen years and that is IF he has no infractions and keeps his nose clean, which, in my opinion, I don't believe he'll be able to do, however, a Parole Board will have to review (and they will see the depravity of his beating Imani, they will see her autopsy photos) his case and approve him to be paroled, they will also have to hear any objections from the DA and Imanis family or court advocate and I truly hope the DA is there in person, to see that his objections are heard. Of course, if the Parole Board denies the first application, Weakfall will be able to apply every year until it is granted.
I'll be praying for Weakfall to die in prison, especially, on November 21st, for that is when Imani died......

[MadeaBecBec]

Everybody should read this article;
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/imani_jennings_accused_killer.html

Wuss Weakfall tried to blame it on a "mysterious" babysitter!!

[carolinablue]

just great. murderous AND stupid!

[Ninja0980]

This case is among many that show why I feel NYS's murder laws need to be reformed. This child killer should NEVER draw a fresh breath of air again.
It galls me that only a small fraction of murder cases in NYS carry automatic life sentences.
Everything else grants you a parole hearing anywhere from nine years to twenty-five years and every two years after your first hearing, you get to have another one. This POS will get more chanes than Imani ever did.

[badfish76]

Everybody should read this article;
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/imani_jennings_accused_killer.html

Wuss Weakfall tried to blame it on a "mysterious" babysitter!!

He has been watching too much Casey Anthony coverage!