Philly woman charged for abusing and murdering a 4-year-old girl

On Tuesday, the caretaker of Zya Singleton, a 4-year-old girl was charged. 

ABC reports that Philly PD are calling this “potentially one of the worst cases of child abuse anyone has ever seen.”

The caretaker, identified as Samilya Brown, 38, was charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Endangering the Welfare, Corruption of Minors, Tampering with Evidence and related offenses.

Officials shared in a news conference that Zya had been abused for years. The victim was found with burns on her arm and leg, broken bones, open wounds, homemade stitches in her mouth, puncture wounds and bite marks. 

ABC reports that on October 30, officials were called to a report of a fall in the 1700 block of Folsom Street. Brown initially said that the child had fallen out of the second-story window while playing with a cat. 

It was reported that when police arrived, they knew something was off. During a press conference, Assistant District Attorney Chesley Lightsey said that, “When police arrived she was in a second-floor bathroom being put in cold water.”

Lightsey continued, “We believe there was no fall.”  

Zya was rushed to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and was transferred to CHOP, where the 4-year-old died complications due to injuries. Zya died on November 3. 

District Attorney Larry Krasner said, “This is a horrific, heartbreaking case of abuse, neglect, and murder of an innocent, defenseless child.”

Officials say the most recent photos of Zya were taken in 2017. It was reported that officials have a notarized letter from 2016 of Zya’s biological mother, Jasmine. Singleton, giving Zya’s custody to Samilya Brown. 

Jasmine Singleton, the biological mother of Zya, has spoken out about her daughter’s death. Singleton explained to outlets that she did not have the means to care for Zya and left the child in the care of family friend. 

Singleton was called to the hospital and was originally pretty positive about seeing her daughter again until she saw her daughter. She told CBS that, “You can’t prepare no mom for what I walked in that room and saw. My baby’s face was destroyed; all she had was eyes and a head that was taped up with burns on her body. I walked into the room and walked out,”

When asked about Brown, Singleton said that “I hope she burns in this jail cell.”