Mother beats child to death?

Aurora woman says child fell on rocks; investigators cite pieces of rack, hanger
AURORA, CO, USA - Before 3-year-old Jolyn Torpoh died, she was battered repeatedly with pieces of a metal towel rack and a coat hanger, Aurora police say.

Detectives who viewed autopsy photographs estimated that Jolyn suffered at least 50 blows, leaving puncture wounds and bruises along her legs, face and backside, according to an arrest affidavit obtained Monday.

Jolyn's mother, Susie Ida Quartey, was arrested Saturday after her daughter's death and is being held on suicide watch at the Arapahoe County Detention Center.

Quartey, 34, denies beating her little girl, her lawyer, Thomas "Doc" Miller, said Monday. According to Quartey, she was carrying Jolyn on her back, wrapped in traditional cloths from their native Ghana, when she and her daughter fell together onto rocks in the family's backyard, Miller said.

Miller said his client is despondent and was physically unable to go to court on Monday.

"They are leaping to conclusions that do not hold water," Miller said of police. "The mother is in an absolute state of horror. This child was loved. This child was not beaten by her mother."

Detective Shannon Lucy said police have not completed investigating the case and have not accused Quartey of murder. The coroner has not yet determined a cause of death and is waiting for lab and toxicology results.

Miller accused police of violating Quartey's civil rights by questioning her for eight hours straight and arresting her hours after the child died, depriving her of a chance to grieve.

Miller "can contact Aurora police and file a formal complaint, and he is more than welcome to do that," Lucy said of Miller's accusations.

Quartey - who works three jobs caring for the elderly, her lawyer said - is set to be in court today. Her bail was set at $500,000, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on her because her residency status is in question.

Quartey's son, Jake Torpoh, 5, is in the custody of social service officials. The boy was interviewed and examined for injuries, and none were found, the arrest affidavit says.

Quartey told detectives that Jolyn was hurting after the fall, so she gave her a bath, some Tylenol and dinner before bed. Jolyn then slept with her mother, she said.

Quartey told police she woke up about midnight Saturday and found Jolyn wasn't breathing. Quartey said she tried to resuscitate the girl to no avail. She called 911, but paramedics were unable to revive Jolyn.

During a search of the house, detectives said, they found a trash bag containing pieces of a metal towel rack, a black belt and a plastic hanger they say was used to beat Jolyn.

Police also found smudge marks on the bathroom wall and blood spatter with gouges in the bathroom drywall.

"Also newly discovered at autopsy was a wound impression that appears to match the pattern of Susie Quartey's shoe, indicating the victim was also kicked," the affidavit says.

But Miller said Quartey is simply a mother who is being prematurely judged. "This case will be vigorously defended. She is not guilty," Miller said.