Melissa Bradley: Olivia Stripling's babysitter informed CPS about abusive mom Coty Lyon before child’s death
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN: The slain Olivia Stripling, who reportedly died in August 2021 after being hit by her own mother, was traumatized too in the past. As per court documents, the toddler’s babysitter Melissa Bradley had informed the Child Protective Services (CPS) about it months before she died.
The new details emerged as Stripling's alleged killer mother, Coty Lyon, was reportedly slapped with second degree murder and child abuse charges on last Monday, December 5. It has also been said that it was the babysitter itself who called 911 after finding Stripling unconscious a day before she breathed her last on August 8, 2021. “I wanted to make sure Olivia was safe,” Bradley said as reported by WWMT.
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According to reports, the infant was at her babysitter’s place on August 7 when she collapsed. Later it was found that the 31-year-old mother had allegedly struck her, which resulted in Stripling hitting her head on a table, Michigan State Police stated. The alleged abuse had left the little one with a severe skull fracture, which resulted in her death. Later, her death was pronounced a homicide.
However, it was not the first time Bradley had to take the authorities’ help. She apparently had been taking care of the 21-month-old for many months last year and it was in April, when she first contacted the CPS. She shared, “The first time I ever watched her I called CPS. The bruises on her face and body, the marks, she had bite marks. There was a huge bulge on her head, it was always there.”
The woman also reportedly sent photos of the child to the CPS but the details of those have not been shared publicly. A spokesperson for the Michigan Department Health and Human Services Child Protective Services, Bob Wheaton, said, “By law, the department cannot release specific information about any Children’s Protective Services (CPS) investigation, including whether or not a family has a CPS history.”
