- A Sandy couple faces charges of abusing a 3-year-old girl nearly to death.
- Tyrel Belone and Amber Leary are charged with attempted murder, child abuse and torture.
- Prosecutors highlight Leary's alleged failure to act.
SANDY — A Sandy couple was charged Wednesday with abusing a 3-year-old girl to the point that she nearly died.
Tyrel Scott Belone, 28, and Amber Lee Leary, 29, are each charged in 3rd District Court with attempted aggravated murder, aggravated child abuse and child torture, first-degree felonies.
The investigation began June 28 when emergency crews were called to a basement apartment near 2400 East and 10300 South on a report of an unresponsive child.
"(The girl) did not appear to be conscious or alert," according to charging documents.
Police also noted bruises on the girl's face and "a greenish-blue color over her whole body, and it appeared as though she was not getting enough oxygen. (A police sergeant) stated that he saw multiple bruises all over her body," the charges state.
The girl was eventually flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital.
Belone allegedly told investigators that the girl had been having problems while potty training.
"Belone said (she) had been combative, biting and scratching, and took a chunk out of Belone's nose a few days ago," the charges state.
After cleaning up several messes the night before, Belone picked the girl up "and threw her on the mattress. (She) bounced and 'ricocheted.' Belone said (the girl) contacted the bed and her head hit the wall. Belone further stated that when he threw (the girl), her body skimmed the bed, and it was 'like a rock skipping over water,'" according to charging documents.
Belone also admitted to "grabbing (the girl) by the hips and giving her bruises a couple of times," giving her "raccoon eyes" by spanking her four or five times during one incident and using "an open hand to strike (the girl) high on the cheekbone," multiple times and hitting her "pretty hard," the charges allege.
"(Police) asked Belone about punching (the girl) in the face. Belone stated, 'I have knocked her a couple times' and confirmed it was with a closed fist," according to the charges.
Doctors confirmed that the young girl suffered a skull fracture.
Belone told police he is a "traveling nurse" and "has been a nurse for almost five years." Leary is the girl's birth mother.
Investigators learned that Belone's frustration with potty training had been escalating. The week prior, he sent a text message to Leary stating, "I am going to murder her," referring the girl, and a second message saying, "I am going to crack her skull" and "I'm finished with her, we can't have a life together with her being like this and now hearing her voice makes me want to kill her," according to charging documents.
"The actions of both defendants are egregious and concerning," prosecutors wrote. "While defendant Belone committed these extreme acts of violence, defendant Leary made the choice to watch the abuse happen, made the choice to allow the abuse to happen, made the choice not to seek medical care when needed, and made the choice not to seek help from professionals or law enforcement despite the victim's extreme visible injuries."
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Wednesday also pleaded with all parents and guardians to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
"If you are a parent who is struggling with your children, please ask for help from friends or family or outside organizations that can help you. As parents, we are meant to protect and raise our children in a healthy environment where they can flourish," he said.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
Help with Children
Those who feel stressed out with a child, who need a break or who feel like they need counseling or training can reach out to one of the following agencies:
- The Family Support Center has 15 locations throughout the state and offers a free crisis nursery for parents who have to keep appointments or who are stressed out. They also offer counseling and family mentoring. Call 801-955-9110 or visit familysupportcenter.org/contact.php for more information.
- Prevent Child Abuse Utah provides home visiting in Weber, Davis, and Box Elder counties. Parent Educators provide support, education, and activities for families with young children. Their statewide education team offers diverse trainings on protective factors, digital safety, bullying, and child sex trafficking. They are available for in-person or virtual trainings and offer free online courses for the community at pcautah.org.
- The Office of Home Visiting works with local agencies to provide home visits to pregnant women and young families who would like to know more about being parents. Home visitors are trained and can provide information about breastfeeding, developmental milestones, toilet training, nutrition, mental health, home safety, child development, and much more. Find out more at homevisiting.utah.gov.
- The Safe Haven law allows birth parents in Utah to safely and anonymously give up custody of their newborn child at any hospital in the state, with no legal consequences and no questions asked. The child's mother can drop off the child, or the mother can ask someone else to do it for her. The newborns should be dropped off at hospitals that are open 24 hours a day. Newborns given up in this manner will be cared for by the hospital staff, and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services will find a home for the child. For more information, visit utahsafehaven.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 866-458-0058.
