Babysitter Slams Toddler’s Head Against Wall
Babysitter Slams Toddler’s Head Against Wall
Taylor Starks told us about the brutal beating of her one-year-old son, Kyrie, at the hands of a trusted friend and babysitter. He’s been in the hospital with no brain activity since June 13th, and Wednesday morning, Kyrie died a month shy of his second birthday.
Kyrie Carter Muhammad was born on July 22nd, 2020, to 16-year-old Taylor Starks. Kyrie was a beautiful baby boy weighing 7 lbs 10 oz. Mother and son both lived together in Roseville, Michigan, about 20 minutes north of Detroit proper. Kyrie was described by his mother as a smart little boy that could count to five by the age of one. Taylor had talents of her own as well, and according to her Instagram, began working as a nail tech in nearby Warren, Michigan.
In recent months, Kyrie had been in the care of 21-year-old Kimora Lame Hodges, whom Taylor described as a longtime friend and babysitter. Kimora had been watching Kyrie on and off for the past two months while Taylor was at work. Additionally, Kimora had a daughter of her own named Malia, who was about Kyrie’s age, so the babysitting arrangement appeared to be a good fit for the young mother.
Kimora also shared Taylor’s love of nail art, and according to her Instagram account, moonlighted as a press-on nail designer. Additionally, Kimora would arrange gift baskets of treats and self-care items, which she would advertise and sell via social media. She was also a fledgling YouTuber who would publish videos with her boyfriend Shane, as well as wig installations and her morning routine with her daughter.
Kimora lived at the Golf Manor Apartments on the 30,000 block of Little Mack Avenue. Although some official sources state that Taylor and Kimora were neighbors, it’s unclear whether or not Taylor also lived in the apartment complex. However, it’s a safe assumption, as a street view of Google Maps shows the Golf Manor Apartments appear to be the only residential area in that particular block.
On June 13th, 2022, Kimora was watching 23-month-old Kyrie while Taylor was working. Throughout the afternoon, the mother began receiving text messages from Kimora regarding her son, which I’ll share with you right now:
“Taylor, I’m sorry, but this might be my last time watching Kyrie. I put them for a nap because they both was crying when we came from outside and I also went to sleep. But I wake up just now and he in the bathroom eating a bar of effing Dial soap. He won’t spit it out and he’s just chewing on it. Not listening, man. But this is what I was saying though. No matter what, when I go to sleep, he feel the need to be sneaky, but he can literally do whatever he want here. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t keep up with this behavior because normally children listen to me and I don’t want to be responsible when he do stuff while I’m asleep because now it’s like I can’t even take a nap while he here cuz he getting into more stuff now.”
Taylor responded with a text message that we will put on screen for you right now, saying that Kyrie is going to be turning two next month, blaming this on the “terrible twos,” and saying that Kimora should be stern with him when he acts like that, but that she didn’t think he was trying to be sneaky and that he’s just a toddler. She ultimately closed it by saying that if Kimora is having too much trouble with Kyrie, then maybe she should find somebody else to watch him, because she didn’t want Kyrie to be a burden on Kimora.
To which Kimora replied, “Girl, I know he a kid, but he too smart. And sometimes you be too soft on him. But I’m not telling you what to do. He can’t be doing that with me, though, cuz I was raised very different and also strict. So when I catch him doing things he know not to do, it does bother me. He ain’t no burden. Don’t even start.”
According to Taylor, around 1:51 a.m., Kimora sent a text with a picture of Kyrie with his face all swollen and bruised. Kimora claimed it was an allergic reaction to the little boy ingesting soap. Believing her friend, Taylor rushed to Kimora’s apartment, arriving at 2:05 a.m., where she called 911. Kyrie was lying on the floor having multiple seizures, and soon medics brought mother and son to the emergency room of Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit.
When they arrived, Taylor quickly learned from the doctors that this wasn’t a simple allergic reaction from ingesting soap. Kyrie was suffering from severe blunt force trauma to the head and was bleeding from his ears to the point where the little boy had to undergo immediate emergency brain surgery in order to attempt to save his life.
And while all of this was going on, Kimora bombarded Taylor’s cell phone with text messages. We have a screenshot of a group of them right now, basically saying, “Everything will be okay and make sure you call me. I can’t go to sleep until I know he’s okay for sure. I can’t believe I let this happen.” Even just stating, quote, “I was just sleepy and needed a little nap. I didn’t think he would go in the bathroom at all.” And at the end, just asking if they made it there.
As a side question to our viewers—’cause I rightly don’t know as I don’t have kids myself—is taking a nap something you normally do when you watch a 2-year-old? Let me know in the comments down below.
Soon, police were called to the hospital, and Kimora was ultimately arrested. The 21-year-old mother was initially charged with child abuse (CA) in the first degree and was being held on a $250,000 bond. It was determined by investigators that Kyrie had been injured between 3:30 p.m. and midnight on June 13th, although according to Taylor’s post on Instagram, the injury occurred around 10:00 p.m.
Roseville Police Chief Ryan Monroe stated that Kimora was cooperating and was remorseful and regretful of her actions, but obviously, none of that would change what had taken place. Kimora allegedly admitted to mistreating Kyrie, which included throwing the little boy against a wall and shaking him badly. Kyrie remained in the care of Ascension St. John Hospital for over a week with no brain activity and, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries on June 22nd, 2022, exactly one month before what would have been his second birthday.
Now that there wasn’t any chance of bringing little Kyrie back, Kimora Hodges’s charges were upgraded to homicide in the first degree. She is currently being held at the Macomb County Jail, and her bond was revoked by a 39th District Court judge. Kimora Hodges was scheduled for a probable cause conference at 8:30 a.m. on June 29th, 2022, in front of District Court Judge Kathleen Tocco. She is currently being represented by an attorney by the name of Joan Morgan, who has declined to make any comment to the media thus far.
Please keep in mind that as Kimora has yet to be found guilty of the crimes she’s been charged with, all information is considered alleged for the time being. As with a lot of cases these days, there haven’t been many updates or a probable cause affidavit released, but we’ll make sure to keep an eye out for you regarding updates with this case.
Taylor and her aunt started a GoFundMe titled “Justice for Kyrie” that helped cover his funeral expenses. As of the date of this recording, the fundraiser has raised over $77,000; the initial goal was only set at $17,500. Now, if you’re interested in donating, we’ll make sure to have Kyrie’s GoFundMe linked for you in the show notes. Visitation of Kyrie Muhammad was held at the Hutchinson Funeral Home in Detroit on July 7th, followed by a service at New Greater Zion Hill on July 12th.
Taylor was crushed by the loss of her only son, stating, quote: “I’m only 18. I don’t have a mom or a dad. It’s just me and my baby. I’m hurt. I’m so hurt. She did this to me. I would never have done this to her and her baby.”
She went on to state on social media, quote: “I feel so betrayed because I would have done anything for this girl and her daughter. She’s the same age as my son. She’s been watching my son for months, and I know how hard it is to have to deal with a kid, so she could have just told me before she did this to him. But there’s no excuse for hurting him like this. I’ve always been self-conscious of who keeps my son just because this was my biggest fear ever, and it’s coming true.”
She closed her post with the following: “I just hope, Kyrie, that you will be able to forgive me, son. Mommy loves you so much.”
