POLICE: Sitter Charged After Baby Died In Spinning Clothes Dryer
POLICE: Sitter Charged After Baby Died In Spinning Clothes Dryer Save Email Print
Posted: 5:19 PM Jan 10, 2009
 Last Updated: 5:19 PM Jan 10, 2009
30 comments
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A Louisiana baby sitter is charged with second-degree murder after prosecutors say she put a baby into a spinning clothes dryer for disturbing her television watching.

Nineteen-year-old Arielle Smith was indicted by a grand jury Thursday for the baby's September death in the New Orleans suburb of Harvey.

Authorities said 5-month-old Andre Jenkins died at the scene from skull fractures and burns suffered in the dryer.

Prosecutors said Smith was watching the baby and two older children at her home. She told police the children were being rambunctious and interfering with her television watching.

Investigators said Smith put the baby in the dryer and turned it on for 3 minutes while the two older children were put in another room.

Smith's attorney declined comment.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: crystal Location: vanceboro on Jan 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM
There is not much I can say that hasn't already been said here, I just can't help but think of the mother! You know she has guilt for choosing to leave her baby with that particular person- And she has to live without her baby for the rest of her life. This girls was obviously a very selfish person and had probably been doing similar things before now like locking the chidren up, I send my kids to their rooms when they are being bad, but they are older, these were precious little babies, who were probably trying to tell her that they needed something. God Bless the family of that precious child, and I hope the suspect it truly sorry for her actions. If she doesn't pay for them now she will one day when she meets her maker.
Posted by: dnm on Jan 16, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Sad, we can change things if we are willing to accept our culpability. Unfortunately, I doubt very seriously if the majority of us will take the time to exam our contribution. We are just more content with casting blame. But we all contribute (both the positive and the negative) to the makeup of who our children become. So many things we allow our children to view, to do, and to say considering them harmless. They are just fun-n-games, just children being children...we are allowing our children to turn into monsters before our very eyes. Then we deny we have done anything wrong. That is really sad. We can see the type of people they are becoming. We are our children's most influential role-models.
Posted by: Sad Location: Robersonville on Jan 16, 2009 at 09:36 AM
This is a perfect example of a culture in this country who has become desensitized to the value of a human life. The same kind who will walk past a man lying on a street who was hit by a car & the same kind who will trample a man to death to get to an Ipod on sale at Walmart.
Posted by: dnm on Jan 15, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Disgusted I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying except in one area. The statement "the government has taken away the rights of parents to discipline". We all but abdicated our parental rights. We continually just roll with the punches (laws) the states throw at us. We could tell the state lawmakers exactly what they can do with some of these crazy laws. We can fight for our parental rights. My son threaten to call child protection 1 day when he was about to be disciplined. Said he would say he was being abused. I disciplined handed him the phone told him to call...but to be prepared cause when they let me out he was really going to feel some serious parental wrath.
Posted by: T Location: WASHINGTON on Jan 14, 2009 at 10:49 AM
EVERYBODY THAT LIVES IN THE PROJECTS DOESN'T MAKE STUPID DECISIONS!!!!!!! The babysitter needs to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Children are gifts from God.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 13, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Probably in the projects. Typical.
Posted by: lakeman on Jan 13, 2009 at 03:06 PM
we really live in a crazy world, with crazy people, scary to walk around in!
Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Jan 13, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Is a trial really necessary here? Jeesh!
Posted by: SGB Location: Eastern NC on Jan 12, 2009 at 07:23 PM
I do not claim this obvious village idiot as a fellow Louisianian. Had she lost her mind?!?!?!?! People like this make me sick!
Posted by: Disgusted Location: NC on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Don't ya think that since "most" kids now days "raise" themselves and the government has taken away the rights of parents to discipline that this is where life as we know it is heading? Kids for the most part have no training in the areas of respect and right and wrong and that their actions whether right or wrong ALWAYS has a consequence. It's basically come down to "if it feels good, do it!" With all the violence on TV with the "bad guy" coming out on top, kids get the idea that they can go the same route and walk away like the "hero"! I feel sorry for the families of both parties. No one would ever ask for their child to be in either of these positions.
Posted by: J Location: Gville on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:08 AM
George, she was probably watching the Soap Operas. People are psycho over that crazy mess.
Posted by: Alison Location: Havelock on Jan 12, 2009 at 08:57 AM
God bless this child and her family! If this happened to one of my children I would be the one going to jail!
Posted by: Pam Location: Newport on Jan 12, 2009 at 08:02 AM
I am sure that this child is sitting on God's lap right now, Knowing pure love. I pray for this family and their recovery. I also pray that justice will be served swiftly. Unfortunately, I fear that this babysitter will find the right schister that will get her off with a slap on the wrist and a good stern "Don't do that again". At the very least, she should not be allowed to provide any type of "Caregiver" services to ANYONE, EVER AGAIN!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Oh my goodness, that is terrible. My prayers to the mother. I can't imgaine what was going on with that babysitter, sounds to me that should would have had some kind of mental problem that would be noticed before she would babysit any child. That is sickness!
Posted by: background checks on Jan 11, 2009 at 04:12 PM
do background checks and thorough interviews with babysitters. man this makes me so lucky i have family in town that i trust to keep my children if i needed it! those poor parents!
Posted by: WITN Moderator Location: WITN on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Mr. T - Our reporters have guidelines to follow and we have rules for comments as well. Check "Hey, Read The Rules". Yours didn't make it because of #4. The name of the show you mentioned (you know, Johnny Knoxville, WeeMan, etc) could be OK in context but it does send your post to a blocked comment filter. We do review them but not as quickly as we review most comments. Hope that helps.
Posted by: MrT Location: LaNC on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:18 PM
WITN moderator, what was so offensive about my post? Why wasnt it posted?
Posted by: Amanda Location: Jax, NC on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:17 PM
she needs to be put in a dryer herself. lets see how she likes it.
Posted by: william Location: rocky mount on Jan 11, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Only 2nd degree? The rest of the world must look at the US in awe everyday. God Bless America.
Posted by: Numb Location: Greenville on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Has there ever been a case that screamed for the death penalty?!!!! This sounds like a plea bargin. Plead guilty to a lesser charge to save her own skin. The state accepts to save money?? Wouldn't want all of those highly educated state attorneys to go to trial. Then again I may be in error... not real sure if Louisana has the death penalty. If not maybe the good people of that state should tie her to a palm tree this summer and hope for a gusty hurricane! Make certain she has satellite TV tuned into the weather channel so she will not miss the show! Thanks for the oppurnity to rant again!!!
Posted by: George W on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM
What show did these children interupt?
Posted by: DawnNC Location: Jax on Jan 11, 2009 at 10:05 AM
She obviously has no value for another persons life, why should society value hers? This act was intentional, viscious, and disgusting.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 10, 2009 at 09:06 PM
I don't understand how some peopl think that putting a baby in a dryer, microwave, oven, etc. will help a situation. What is wrong with these sick folks?!!?
Posted by: Keith on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Just go ahead and sentence her to death right now. To trial. No sympathy. This story really saddens my heart.
Posted by: shon Location: greenville on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:23 PM
I'm sure angels were right there waiting to keep that baby from suffering something so horrific.
Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:10 PM
S; 'The monsters in our society' should be executed. There is no need for us to feed, and house these twisted individuals for 50 plus years. I would have no problem pulling the switch on this one. Lights out. End of story.
Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY,NC on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:53 PM
This is insane. Is there a reason for the death penalty? There is here! If you read some of comments you know I am a God loving Conservitive Republican. Prosecutors said Smith was watching the baby and two older children at her home. She told police the children were being rambunctious and interfering with her television watching. So she put her in the dryer turned it on and Executed the little child Andre. As Cowboy John Wayne another C.R. would say " Airelle Hangin Judge Parker will be here next month he will give you a fair trial. The jury will find you Guilty of the murder of little Andre. Then we will hang you."
Posted by: Rev. RB on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:21 PM
3 minutes my foot. The infant would not have suffered burns after 3 minutes. Someone should do the same to her...repeatedly and vigorously.
Posted by: Buzz Location: Pnzr on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Oh man, second degree murder. She might as well pointed a gun at the baby, should be first degree. I dont even know where to begin. the baby was disturbing her TV show. wonder if there was a boyfriend around somewhere..Buzz-
Posted by: Ms.E on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Wow...this is very sickening. This is a person with no heart at all. I am sure the people that she was babysitting for, trusted her to the fullest. I mean you really think that you know a person, and you'll never ever know until some months or years later. I just pray for the family, they will never be able to trust anyone again.
Posted by: S Location: Washington,NC on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
How sick can one individual be? This woman should be put in a clothes dryer for about an hour herself & see how it affects her....These monsters in our society should be locked up forever...
Posted by: betty Location: cortland on Jan 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM
How sick can people get? Things are crazy. Do to that baby sitting that she did to the baby. BUT leave her in for an hour.
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