Louisiana – In a heartbreaking case out of Louisiana, a foster mother faces a mandatory life sentence for the fatal abuse of a 1.5-year-old girl in her care. The 42-year-old woman, identified as T. Burns, was convicted of second-degree murder for the 2020 death of the 18-month-old girl, as announced by the DA’s Office.
The trial, which shifted to a bench format before District Court Judge D. Hathaway, as jury selection commenced, revealed chilling details about the events leading to the girl’s death. Starting on Wednesday, the proceedings moved quickly, with the prosecution presenting compelling evidence of Burns’ culpability in the violent shaking that led to the toddler’s death on June 5, 2020. Prosecutors detailed that Burns had been caring for the toddler, with whom she had no familial ties. This wasn’t Burns’ first encounter with allegations of abuse; another child had previously been removed from her home due to similar accusations. Throughout the trial, the prosecution brought forward 11 witnesses, including four medical doctors, who testified that the girl’s severe injuries to the brain were consistent with acute abusive head trauma.
The most damning testimony came from the account Burns gave to detectives. She admitted to grabbing the toddler by her head and violently shaking her back and forth for over 45 minutes, but added that she did that only because she was trying to wake the girl up. Burns described using harsh, jarring motions, at times holding the girl upside-down by her legs. This episode didn’t cease even as Burns drove the seriously injured child to the hospital, continuing to shake her at red lights.
The prosecution characterized Burns as a “monster” in their arguments, underscoring the tragic vulnerability of a child placed in her care. Assistant DA C. Bowman expressed the severity of the toddler’s injuries in vivid terms during his opening statement, indicating that they were so severe they would deeply disturb anyone who heard the details. With the evidence presented, Judge Hathaway found Burns guilty of second-degree murder. This conviction carries an automatic sentence of life without parole, which will be formally pronounced at Burns’ sentencing on July 23.
This case has resonated deeply within the community and beyond, sparking discussions about the safety and monitoring of children placed in foster care. The tragedy of the little girl’s death highlights critical gaps in the protective services system and has prompted calls for stringent checks on individuals before they are entrusted with the care of vulnerable children. As Burns awaits her sentencing, the community and the toddler’s biological family continue to grapple with the loss of a young life and the unsettling reality that the very individual who should have protected her was responsible for her untimely death.
