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Day Care Provider Charged with Murder in Death of Toddler

By Eddie Small | August 29, 2014 2:03pm
 Athena Skeeter has been charged with murder in the death of toddler Cardell Williamson, according to the Bronx DA's office.
Athena Skeeter has been charged with murder in the death of toddler Cardell Williamson, according to the Bronx DA's office.
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BRONX — Day care provider Athena Skeeter has been indicted on murder charges in the death of 20-month-old Cardell Williamson while in her care, according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.

Skeeter, 40, admitted to throwing Cardell on the floor in her College Avenue apartment on Aug. 22 and repeatedly stepping on his stomach, after which she put him in a tub of water, according to the Bronx DA's office.

She claimed she poured cold water on Williamson in the tub and then left him there, before coming back to find the water steaming hot, leaving Williamson scalded, prosecutors said. Williamson was taken to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital and pronounced dead.

Skeeter, who was originally charged with manslaughter, described her roughhousing with Williamson as play wrestling, prosecutors said.

She has been indicted for first- and second-degree manslaughter as well. The state Office of Children and Family Services revoked her daycare provider license Monday and is investigating, according to an agency spokeswoman.

Skeeter's next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 20. Her lawyer Michael Beatrice said she would be pleading not guilty when she's arraigned on the charges.