Child dies from traumatic brain injury; foster parent charged

Child dies from traumatic brain injury; foster parent charged
Christa Graban Chris Zoladz
Updated:7/20/2010 5:13:57 PM - Posted: 7/20/2010 2:39:12 PM


GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A foster parent is charged with open murder in the death of a five-year-old girl.

On July 16, Emily Meno was taken to Spectrum Hospital in downtown Grand Rapids for a traumatic brain injury. Hospital workers called the Kent County Sheriff's Department and child Protective Services to investigate.

Five-year-old Emily Meno died July 17. Her foster parent, a single woman providing care through Bethany Christian Services, was taken into police custody and charged with open murder.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=124473&catid=14

David Pederson with Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford tells WZZM 13 News Emily's birth mother is mildly developmentally impaired and that is why the child was in foster care.

The prosecutor's office is reviewing the case and more information may be available after the foster parent's arraignment.