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Indy mom admits neglecting 9-month-old who died

Marisa Kwiatkowski
marisa.kwiatkowski@indystar.com
Corey Bullock and Apryl Hammer face criminal charges relating to the death of 9-month-old Aiva McGee.

An Indianapolis woman has admitted neglecting her 9-month-old daughter, who died after suffering multiple injuries.

Apryl Hammer pleaded guilty earlier this month to felony neglect of a dependent, Marion Superior Court records show.

Hammer's infant daughter, Aiva McGee, died in 2014 of multiple blunt-force trauma injuries that officials said she suffered within days of her death, according to court records. She also had older injuries, including broken ribs and a lacerated liver, that were two to five weeks old.

At least four people noticed injuries on Aiva, but no one sought help until days later when, according to Marion Superior Court records, the girl stopped breathing.

Police: Family ignored infant’s injuries for days

Bruises covered Aiva's head and legs. She had a large scabbed wound on her skull.

Hammer and her boyfriend, Corey Bullock, told police they were worried.

Hammer told police she first noticed bruises on her daughter around 7 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2014, after she got home from work. Bullock, who had been watching Aiva, said the little girl must have hit her head on the crib, court records state.

The next day, Hammer said, her daughter’s bruises were darker, and the little girl appeared sick.

Hammer Googled concerns about her daughter’s condition. She searched “red bruises all over my daughter’s head where did they come from” and “my daughter had bruises and a few days later they became red and more worse,” but she didn’t contact a doctor, court records state.

On Sept. 30, 2014, Aiva seemed sleepy and sick, according to court records. Hammer held the little girl for most of the day until she went to work. She left Aiva in Bullock’s care.

Less than an hour later, Aiva stopped breathing. Bullock called his mother, who called 911.

The little girl was rushed to the hospital, where she was placed on life support. She died Oct. 2, 2014.

Hammer later told police that she should have taken Aiva to the doctor as soon as she saw the bruises, but she said she didn’t want to be accused of child abuse.

She already faced felony charges of battery and strangulation and a misdemeanor count of battery resulting in bodily injury relating to an altercation she had with the pregnant girlfriend of Aiva’s father, Charles McGee, court records state. That case is pending.

Police indicated that they believed Bullock was the one responsible for Aiva’s death, according to court records. He faces charges of murder, aggravated battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury.

Bullock said Aiva’s bruises were from “smacking her head on things,” court records state. He also said she fell. His criminal case is pending.

As part of her plea agreement, Hammer agreed to testify against Bullock during his trial. In return, the prosecutor's office agreed to dismiss charges of murder and aggravated battery that were pending against her.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Hammer will be sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by two years of probation, court records show. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 2.

Call IndyStar reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski at (317) 444-6135. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyMarisaK.

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