Detectives from the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) continue to investigate a child abuse incident that left 3 year-old Brandy Crews dead and a 4 year-old boy abused. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Officers from the SPPD along with crews from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) responded to the residence after receiving a 911 call about a child in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival by SPFR, it was confirmed that the child was in traumatic cardiac arrest. The child was transported to All Children’s Hospital where she died from her injuries.
According to arrest documentation, 33 year-old Monica Williams admitted that the child was thrown against a wall causing head trauma leading to unconsciousness. Injuries noted to the child at the hospital are as follows; subdural bruising to her forehead, bruised and swollen left eye, small laceration to her face, apparent minor burns/marks to her right hip and left back of leg, an occipital fracture, a healing laceration to the back of the head, severe bruising of the retina, and hundreds of small scars covering her body.
It was determined that the child was unresponsive for approximately 40 minutes before 911 was contacted.
Daquan Lindsey, age 25, is also in custody for his role in the child’s death. Based on available information, Lindsey is the person that threw the child against the wall. Lindsey reportedly beat at least one other child in the home on multiple occasions.
That 3 year-old boy in the residence was evaluated by medical professionals. That child reportedly had various marks, bruises, and scarring consistent with being bound and tied repeatedly. According to arrest information, the child was beaten with a belt, countless times in the past, until bloody and swollen. This was while the child’s hands and ankles were tied up with shoelaces and witnessed by the mother.
Two other children were removed from the home.
Daquan Linsey is facing charges of
- Murder in the first degree (capital felony)
- Child abuse/aggravated battery/great bodily harm (two counts)
Monica Williams is facing charges of
- Murder in the first degree (capital felony)
- Child abuse
- Child abuse/aggravated battery/great bodily harm (two counts)
- Neglect of a child with great bodily harm
- Neglect of a child without great bodily harm (three counts)
Both Lindsey and Williams were booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Friday, August 12, 2022.