An 18-month-old girl who police say was physically abused by her mother's boyfriend died from traumatic head trauma, Ada County Coroner Erwin Sonnenberg said Monday.
The manner of death for Alaija Corbin is listed as pending in Sonnenberg's report, which he issued Monday afternoon after the girl's autopsy was completed.
The child was rushed to St. Luke's Regional Medical Center last weekend. Paramedics were called to a home in the 300 block of East 40th Street at about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 8 for a report of an unconscious infant.
Paramedics determined Alajia Corbin's injuries were consistent with head trauma. Emergency surgery was preformed on the child. She was pronounced dead Oct. 14 at Saint Luke's Boise Medical Center, according to coroner's reports.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jordan Everhart, 21. Garden City police officials say Everhart was babysitting the child when the injuries occurred.
Ada County prosecutors say Everhart told police Alajia Corbin was injured after being knocked down by a dog.
A medical exam showed the girl had a contusion on the abdomen, bruising on the hip, new and old injuries and bleeding in the brain, and hemorrhages in the eyes. The head and eye injuries are consistent with shaking and doctors said characterized those injuries as “non-accidental,” according to court testimony.
Everhart is being held in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond on a felony injury to child charge. A preliminary hearing has been set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25.
It is unclear if that charge will change now that the child has died. Ada County prosecutors said Monday they were waiting to examine medical reports and are still investigating the case.
Sonnenberg has not yet determined if the manner of the child's death was a homicide, saying Monday his staff is still working with Garden City police to establish the manner of death.
Garden City Police are continuing their investigation into the case, asking that anyone with information call the police at 472-2950, or Crime Stoppers at 343- COPS.
Katy Moeller: 377-6413
