Mom Pushed Child To Her Death On Halloween: Chester Co. DA

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A Chester County mother shoved her long-abused 5-year-old daughter down a flight of steps onto a concrete landing, killing her, the District Attorney's Office announced Monday.

Police said Ciara Robinson, 25, of Parkesburg, became angry with her daughter, Amatulah "Amy" McLaughlin, for unknown reasons, on Halloween night, Oct. 31.

The child fell down the nine-foot-long staircase and landed on her head, causing a "crushing" injury," brain bleeding, and extreme swelling, an autopsy later showed.

After shoving her daughter, Robinson, who works as a home health aide, called a friend to ask for advice, police said. "I knocked (the daughter) out...she won't wake up...I am going to jail," the criminal complaint states.

When police were called to the scene at around 9:25 p.m., Amatulah was already cold and not breathing. EMS personnel administered CPR and she was taken by an ambulance to a nearby hospital, but she was already dead.

Robinson reportedly broke down while police were on the scene, crying and yelling, "I wish I never pushed her down the steps," a criminal complaint states.

An autopsy also revealed extensive bruising and scars on Amatulah, indicating extensive prior abuse, police said. Robinson admitted to abusing her daughter since at least Nov. 2017, according to authorities.

Robinson also has a two-year-old child who was discovered at the Parkesburg residence unharmed. He was taken into protective custody.

Robinson has been charged with third degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

She was remanded to Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office