A Henrico County mother pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the death of her 3-year-old son, who succumbed last year from complications of neglect, malnourishment and dehydration. The child weighed 21 pounds at death, which is in excess of 95% less of other male toddlers that age in the U.S.
Had the case gone to trial, witnesses would have testified that Teresa Richelle Anderson, 31, “continued to keep [the child] in her custody despite her documented inability to care for him,” Assistant Henrico Commonwealth’s Alison Martin, who is prosecuting the case, told the court in summary of facts.
When Anderson brought her child, Saint Michael Domenic Taylor, to Retreat Hospital in Richmond on April 19, 2022, the boy was “clearly dead and already cold to the touch,” the prosecutor said.
When asked for details on how the child died, Anderson stated that he choked on a piece of bread.
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But after an autopsy was conducted, Dr. Renee Robinson with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Saint Michael’s cause of death was due to complications of neglect and malnourishment/dehydration. That finding, working together with an inflicted blunt force injury the child sustained to the head, resulted in Robinson ruling the boy’s manner of death as homicide, Martin told the court.
21 pounds at death, medical examiner says
A police investigation established that Anderson, a single mother with two other children, was Saint Michael’s sole caretaker. Investigators learned that she had previously allowed other family members to care for the boy, and during those periods, his body mass index was completely normal although he did experience some developmental delays.
After the child’s death was ruled a homicide, additional investigation was done, and “Anderson was unable to offer any history that could explain the blunt force injury to Saint Michael, “especially not the injury to the skull that was documented,” Martin said.
The medical examiner determined the child weighed 21 pounds at death, a weight that is six points below the fifth percentile for male toddlers at 36 months. A toddler in the fifth percentile weighs less than 95% of other male babies of that age, according to the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During a brief hearing Thursday in Henrico Circuit Court, Anderson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, reduced from first-degree, as part of a plea agreement that resulted in an accompanying charge of felony abuse being withdrawn.
Henrico Circuit Judge John Marshall convicted Anderson after accepting her plea and set sentencing for July 28.
Henrico Circuit Court Judge John Marshall
What the plea agreement includes
The plea agreement caps Anderson’s punishment at the mid-point of state sentencing guidelines once they are calculated.
Sharon Carr, the Richmond Police Department's general counsel, wrote that it would take her 151 hours to read the policies for possible redactions under FOIA.
A preliminary calculation — that is subject to change — shows a punishment range of 12 years and nine months at the low end, to 21 years and four months at the high end. The mid-point would be 17 years and one month.
Anderson has two other children, including a baby that was born shortly before Saint Michael died. She has no prior criminal history.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Anderson is barred from having any physical contact with her surviving children but is permitted to have letters, packages, phone calls, FaceTime or contact by other electronic means as permitted by the Henrico Department of Social Services.
At sentencing, the prosecution plans to call Dr. Renee Robinson, who conducted the autopsy, and Dr. Robin Foster, a professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine and director of the child protection team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Anderon’s attorney, Alexander Clarke Jr., could not immediately be reached for comment.
15 signs your child is affected by bullying and what you can do about it
Changes in eating habits
Be on the lookout for changes in eating habits, such as suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they didn't eat lunch from stress or social pressure.
Declining grades or loss of interest in school work
If a previously studious, interested student starts showing loss of interest in schoolwork or stops wanting to go to school, or if their grades begin declining noticeably, that could be a sign of bullying. Loss of focus is a common result of worry or anxiety.
Self-destructive behavior
Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide should always be taken seriously. Even if the underlying cause is something other than bullying, if you notice these signs seek help. If someone is thinking of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem
This may be one of the more difficult indicators to notice since it's more internal, but if your child is showing a drop in self esteem or feelings of helplessness in what they say or how they act, it could be a sign that something — or someone — is troubling them.
Feeling or faking sickness, headaches and stomach aches
Frequent headaches or stomach aches are be one of the body's ways of exhibiting unusual amounts of stress. Also, frequently feeling sick (or faking sickness) to avoid going to school or social situations is another signal that something is wrong.
Unexplained injuries
If your child comes home with unexplained injuries, scrapes or bruises, it could be due to bullying.
Lost or destroyed clothing, books, or other belongings
There are many different forms of bullying, from verbal to social to physical to a mix of each. Items like books, electronics, jewelry, or clothing that go mysteriously missing — or are damaged or destroyed — are an indicator that something is going on.
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Like illness or stomach aches, difficulty sleeping and/or persistent nightmares is a clue that something has shifted in the victim's life and should be addressed.
Avoidance of social situations or sudden loss of friends
Another common marker of bullying is the victim suddenly spending much more time alone. Avoiding social events like games or turning down opportunities to hang out with friends when those weren't behaviors before is a clue that it's time to talk.
What you can do
There are many reasons why a child might not tell an adult they're being bullied — feelings of helplessness and isolation, fear of backlash, not wanting to feel helpless or rejected by their peers. If you can, first talk to the child. If they're being bullied in school, reach out to a teacher, or the principal or school counselor. A local counselor or mental health services can also be contacted if someone is acting differently than normal, like always seeming sad or anxious or unable to complete standard tasks. If there is immediate risk of harm, call 911.
Signs that your child is bullying: Getting into fights
This can include physical or verbal fights.
Has friends who bully
If your child's friends seem to be bullying people, your child might be doing so as well.
New money or possessions
Just how suddenly having lost or destroyed possessions can be an indication your child is being bullied, your child having more money or things can mean they acquired it through bullying.
Detention
Bullies are often sent to the principal's office or get detention more often.
Blames others
This can include blaming others for their problems, but not being willing to take responsibility for their actions is another sign of bullying.
Worried about reputation
It's normal to think about how others perceive you, but being overly competitive and worrying about their reputation or popularity can be another sign of bullying.
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