Groton Woman Arrested on Child Abuse Charges

In a five month span of time in which Crystal Magee’s young relative was placed in her care, he suffered broken bones, burns, malnutrition, according to a Groton City Police arrest warrant.

Magee’s sister is the mother of the child. He is 18-months-old and lived with Crystal and Donald Magee in their Mather Avenue home from June through November 2015, the Hartford Courant reported.

The child and his three siblings were taken out of their mother’s home in June 2015, after the DCF allegedly found unsuitable conditions. Three of the four children were placed with a different family and the victim in this case went to live in Magee’s home.

The location was approved by the DCF. Magee reportedly told police she could only take care of the child for one month due to illness in her family. The child was in her care for five months and during that time, she allegedly did not bring the child to scheduled doctor’s visits or allow all the home visits to occur.

In November 2015, the boy was sent to another relative’s house, who reportedly brought him to a clinic. Staff observed that the 18-month-old displayed an inability to talk, walk or feed himself, had burn marks and scars on his body and showed signs of malnutrition, the Courant wrote. Clinic staff contacted police, citing possible child abuse.

NBC Connecticut reported that the child’s health and functioning improved after leaving Magee’s house.

Magee was arrested on felony charges of cruelty to a child and risk of injury to a minor. She pleaded not guilty and has a March 10 court date.

(Photo: Patch archives)