Family Claims Babysitter Severely Beat Toddler

Family Claims Babysitter Severely Beat Toddler


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Amanda Butterfield Reporting"I can't trust anyone right now with him, but my family."

It's something no parent wants to imagine, dropping your child off at a trusted babysitter's where he's beaten nearly to death. That's what one Tremonton family says happened to their 16-month old son. Police are investigating, hoping to make an arrest soon.

Ryker Dee Bennett is in critical condition at Primary Childrens. He was taken there after it was discovered he was bleeding internally, had a concussion, a broken rib, and more. The babysitter told his parents he just fell off the bed.

Chelsea Bennett: "He was the happiest kid, he never cried a lot, never cried, never cries."

But now that's all his parents can do.

Chelsea Bennett: "Dad's not doing good, dad's not good, it's hard. Dad's not good."

Shane, Father: "Play with him, wrestle, he can't do that now."

Monday morning Chelsea Bennett dropped her son off at the babysitter's in Tremonton and he was fine. When she picked him that night, he wasn't.

Chelsea Bennett: "He didn't talk, no 'hi mom,' reach nothing. He laid there. She said he'd fallen off the bed."

On the drive home it didn't get better. Ryken, couldn't even hold his head up.

Chelsea Bennett: "So we rushed to Brigham, er very quickly."

Doctors said he had a concussion, kept him overnight, and in the morning, they found he was bleeding internally. He was flown by helicopter to Primary Childrens.

Chelsea Bennett: "Admitted him to surgery, surgeon did what he could to fix the damaged intestine."

He also had a broken rib and some bruises on his face. He remains at Primary Childrens, sedated.

Chelsea Bennett: "He's so still, laying there, not him."

Tremonton Police confirm the parents' story.

David Nance, Tremonton Police Department: "We are looking at a 23-year old female that we're talking to that's a suspect at this point."

They hope to file charges by Thursday, when Ryken will be in his second surgery and his recovery will begin.

Chelsea Bennett: "It's hard to see him this way, but we'll know get through this. He's strong, he's very strong."

After that surgery, Ryken could be hospitalized anywhere from two weeks to two months. They're hoping he can be home by Christmas.

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