Philadelphia Woman Arrested After Bruised Baby Girl In Her Care Found Dead In Bathtub, Police Say

A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 3-year-old girl left in her care as well as what authorities called the “violent abuse” of her own two children.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 17 in Philadelphia, WPVI-TV reported the unresponsive toddler was found at the home of Kiarali Rodriguez-Ayala, 23.

The girl, who police said had obvious injuries, was transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but she did not survive.

Rodriguez-Ayala told investigators that the mother of the girl dropped her off on Feb. 10, and she had been in her care ever since.

According to Rodriguez-Ayala, she was bathing the child at 2:30 a.m., when she went downstairs to let someone in the front door. Upon returning, she said, the child was unresponsive in the tub.

First responders noted they found Rodriguez-Ayala’s two children, ages 2 and 4, at the scene also suffering obvious injuries.

The two children were treated for bruising and burn marks on their bodies and are now in the care of the city’s Department of Human Services, WPVI-TV reported.

Rodriguez-Ayala was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault and related offenses.

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She was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and she was ordered to stay away from her children.

Officials said the investigation into the 3-year-old girl’s death is active and ongoing.