Oakland County Babysitter Charged With Child Abuse After Toddler Suffers Brain Damage: Prosecutor

TROY, MI — An Oakland County babysitter is facing child abuse charges after a toddler suffered brain damage while under her care, according to the prosecutor's office.

Swapna Hari, 44, from Troy, was charged with first-degree child abuse. She faces up to life in prison if convicted.

On Sept. 3, 2025, prosecutors said Hari was babysitting the 13-month-old child when she claimed the toddler fell backward while eating and began choking.

The child was taken to a nearby hospital with severe head trauma and suffered serious brain damage, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the severity of the injuries was not consistent with choking or a backward fall.

"In a single moment, this healthy and happy 13-month-old child suffered a life-changing injury, allegedly at the hands of this defendant," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "Our office sees too many cases of childhood brain injuries caused by abusers. These are physical injuries that often never heal completely. It’s heartbreaking and horrifying to learn a caregiver would harm a child instead of protecting them."

No other details were released Tuesday.