Details Emerge, GoFundMe Launched After Northport Infant's Death

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport grandmother accused of manslaughter in the death of her six-month old grandson “admitted to dancing around while holding her grandson in different positions while inside her home within hours of the 911 call,” according to a deposition filed Wednesday in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.

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Charlotte Tarasine Simpson, who also goes by Tara, called 911 at 10:05 a.m. Friday to report that the child was unresponsive. The child was transported to DCH where he later died.

Medical examiners ruled the death of homicide after determining the infant died from a bilateral subdural hematoma from shaking.

When questioned, Simpson told investigators with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit that she was the only person who was with the child when he was found, according to the court file.

Patch reported when Simpson was arrested Monday and charged with manslaughter after autopsy results were returned from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. She was released from the Tuscaloosa County Jail that afternoon after posting $30,000 bond.

Simpson is being represented by Tuscaloosa attorney Chad Barnett.

A GoFundMe has been established to cover funeral expenses for the infant, identified on the page as Xander Myers. The funds will reportedly help the father of the child, who is out of work following the infant's death.

As of the publication of this story, the online fundraising drive had raised $880 from 16 donors toward its $3,000 goal.

The infant's death on Friday was one of four homicide investigations prompted in less than a week for Tuscaloosa County investigators and the third of a victim 16 years old or younger.

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