South Jersey Baby Sitter Faces Murder Charges After Toddler Dies
CAMDEN, NJ (AP) -- A southern New Jersey baby sitter is facing murder charges following the death this week of a toddler who was in her care.
Thirty-three-year-old Sheila Polanski of Westville initially was charged with aggravated assault after 2-year-old Madeline McHenry was found unresponsive Tuesday. Polanski had been watching the girl in the child's Gloucester City home, and Camden County prosecutors say emergency responders noted fresh bruises on the girl's body.
Polanski initially denied responsibility, but later admitted shaking the child when she wouldn't stop crying and throwing her to the ground.
The toddler died Thursday, and the charge against Polanski was upgraded the following day. She's in the county jail on $500,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday.
It was not known Saturday if Polanski had retained a lawyer.
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