PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Portage woman has been sentenced on charges of manslaughter in the death of a 2-year-old that occurred last March.
Monday, WOOD TV reported that 22-year-old Tranaya Spencer will serve between two and 15 years in prison with credit for 164 days served, plus fines and fees.
WOOD TV reported that the 164 days credit will also be the sentence for third-degree child abuse.
Police say the investigation began on March 13, 2020, when police and rescue personnel were called to an apartment in the 6000 block of Dove Court off of Milham Avenue in Portage.
Upon arrival, Portage officers found an unresponsive two-year-old girl lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. Officers immediately initiated CPR. Portage Fire/EMS personnel arrived on scene and took over life saving measures. The child was later transported to Bronson Methodist Hospital.
On March 17, the two-year-old was pronounced deceased, later identified as Royalty Regina Mae Hooper-Houston.
According to the report, Spencer had been babysitting Hooper-Houston when she wrapped her up tight in a blanket as punishment for a potty training accident. The child was unresponsive when she tried to get her up a few hours later.
Spencer tried to revive the child in the shower, hitting her head on the wall in the process.
Judge Paul Bridenstine said that, while Spencer’s actions were negligent and inappropriate, he didn’t believe it was Spencer’s intention to kill Hooper-Houston. Therefore, he would rule the sentence within guidelines, according to the report.
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