Child-Care Provider Charged in 9-Month-Old's Homicide

OXON HILL, MD — A 9-month-old baby's death in December was caused by head injuries that Prince George's County Police say were inflicted by her day-care provider, who is now in jail.

The Prince George’s County Police Department on Tuesday arrested Beatrice Manning, 43, of the 5600 block of Helmont Place in Oxon Hill. The victim is nine-month-old Savannah Wright of North Anvil Lane in Temple Hills.

About 7 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2015, the baby's mother dropped off Savannah at Manning's home. Around 11 a.m. Manning called 911 saying Savannah was lethargic and had become unresponsive.

About 5:30 that evening, detectives were called to the Children's National Medical Center and told the victim was suffering from a brain injury and was on life support. Savannah died on Dec. 4.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the District of Columbia ruled the cause of death was blunt force injury to the head and the manner of death was a homicide. Autopsy results and the investigation reveal Savannah's injuries occurred while in Manning’s care.

Manning was arrested April 5 on charges of first-degree murder, assault and child abuse. She is in the custody of the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text "PGPD plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.

»Photo of suspect Beatrice Manning, provided by Prince George's County Police