Murder trial starts in slaying of Columbia County toddler

COLUMBIA COUNTY (WRDW/WAGT) – There are new developments within the 2019 homicide of a Columbia County toddler.

Lincoln DaVitte died in Could of 2019, simply shy of his second birthday. On Tuesday, Charles Sconyers, his mom’s boyfriend, and Augusta firefighter was again in courtroom going through expenses in his dying.

We have been within the courtroom. It was an extended day of witnesses describing their expertise of the tragic day of his dying.

We heard from lecturers at his daycare, first responders to the scene, and several other medical doctors, together with neurosurgeons and pediatric surgeons.

The most important takeaway from those that cared for DaVitte, the accidents he sustained aren’t in step with what Sconyers mentioned occurred.

“I haven’t seen this damage from a working or a standing little one,” mentioned Dr. Walker Pipkin, pediatric surgeon, CHOG.

The medical doctors say they usually see related accidents from individuals falling from a number of tales of a constructing or being ejected throughout a automobile crash.

Dr. Kevin Alen mentioned: “The fracture began within the again and really had two traces that got here ahead, that implies there was much more drive than the bottom degree fall.”

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The primary responders to the scene have been firefighters–shortly after Gold Cross arrived. Sconyers was an worker of Gold Cross, and his supervisor advised him he might go along with DaVitte and assist administer care.

However not everybody felt snug with him being there.

Kristi Marsh, Gold Cross, paramedic mentioned: “He gave the impression to be very distraught and saved saying ‘if one thing occurs to him, that is all my fault.’ ‘Please don’t let something occur to him.’ That was repeated the entire option to the hospital. I acquired a sense that he was not as involved with affected person care as he was the outcomes of the kid.”

Marsh was one of many paramedics serving to stabilize DaVitte. She says she’s by no means seen an damage like this from a ground-level fall.

One of many closing witnesses referred to as to the stand was a health care provider specializing in abuse. He says a number of of DaVitte’s accidents indicated potential abuse.

A whole lot of the medical doctors findings have been from discovering hemorrhages behind each of his eyes and different bruises on his ears and the remainder of his physique. That is all from the prosecution’s aspect. We’ll hear from Sconyers and his protection staff within the coming days.

This case isn’t so simple as – who may very well be chargeable for Lincoln’s dying?

Our I-Group has uncovered one other essential query – Who might have stopped it? Our I-Group needed to struggle to be in one other courtroom listening to for that. That listening to had nothing to do with Charles Sconyers.

It was between Lincoln’s mom and DFCS. DFCS fought to maintain us out of it, so our legal professional and information director went to courtroom to ask a choose to allow us to in.

We needed to seek out out whether or not DFCS missed or ignored doable warning indicators of abuse earlier than Lincoln’s dying, and a choose sided with us.

In 2019, we realized DFCS had a file of Lincoln having a black eye – not as soon as – however twice. A caseworker concluded there have been no security considerations and closed the case. 6 weeks later, Lincoln died.

Our I-Group investigation additionally uncovered Lincoln’s daycare lecturers say they noticed him with black eyes – a busted mouth – pinch marks, and handprints.

They advised us they shared this with their daycare director – and after they say nothing was accomplished – they referred to as DFCS.

Our I-Group additionally questioned the director of DFCS on the time – Tom Rawlings – in regards to the variety of youngsters dying after DFCS was alerted. We reported ‘abuse or neglect contributed to the deaths of at the very least 35 youngsters throughout the state of Georgia in 2018.’ All had a historical past of DFCS after they died.

None of this may convey Lincoln again – or these different 35 youngsters again, however it’s essential to recollect – in hopes it helps save youngsters at risk.

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