Lilianna Goodmann

Baby dies following beating

Posted: Mar 13, 2009 5:03 PM EDT

Indianapolis - A baby who was hospitalized after being beaten earlier this week has died.

Fourteen-month-old Lilianna Goodmann died Friday afternoon at St. Vincent Hospital. Police say Goodmann was removed from life support at 3:30 pm.

"Unfortunately, we've known from the time that she arrived at the hospital that there was very little chance of survival," said IMPD Sgt. Paul Thompson. "She was seriously injured as a result of this beating and it's our understanding they did everything they could possibly do, but her injuries were just too extensive."

Tayuan Chism, 18, is accused of beating the girl with a belt for being disrespectful and not eating her food. He was arrested Thursday after his 21-year-old pregnant girlfriend and her baby were admitted to the hospital.

"It was very shocking. This is a result of an 18-year-old young man making the accusations stating that a 14-month-old girl failed to show him adequate respect," Sgt. Thompson said. "And I don't know how anyone can comprehend that statement."

The woman claimed Chism beat her and the girl the day before. She was treated and released from the hospital.

"Investigators are very confident that the majority of the injuries - the most serious injuries - were inflicted by the use of a belt," Sgt. Thompson said. "There may have been some additional trauma inflicted, such as blunt force trauma with the hand or a fist, but we have to do an autopsy to determine the nature of those injuries and how they were inflicted."

Chism was taken into custody in the waiting room at St. Vincent Hospital.

"He in his own mind thought this was a disciplinary action and he made a comment to officers before he was taken into custody that this was a disciplinary action," Sgt. Thompson said. "So he must have felt pretty strongly about that or had no fear of being taken into custody."

Police say others who were there at the time of the beating told them it lasted 1-2 hours. Investigators are reviewing that part of the case to determine if more charges need are warranted.

On Friday afternoon, Chism's mother, Kimberly Johnson told Eyewitness News her son could never have hurt a child. She says when her son found out the child had been hurt, he ran right to the hospital.

"That people are saying that he beat the baby with a belt - at first they said for two hours, then they said for an hour - there is no way possible. There is no way possible," Johnson said.

She believes there were others in the apartment who are trying to cover up the truth.

"What type of human being watches a one year old get beat by one person? No one called 911, no one tried to restrain him," Johnson said. "No, I just don't believe what happened over there."

Police, on the other hand, believe Chism is solely responsible.

Chism is in jail on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent, aggravated battery and domestic battery charges. His bail was increased to $1 million after the girl's death. Prosecutor's office spokesman Mario Massillamany says officials will consider adding a murder charge.

A family friend claims that another person - not Chism - is responsible for the beating. Chism is due in court Monday.

Tayuan Chism