A woman accused of battering her boyfriend’s four-year-old daughter to death leaving her covered in bruises has been seized by police.
Officers in Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, USA, were called to the family home by reports that victim Hazel ‘Bugg’ Renee Lidey had taken an accidental overdose on 17th November.
But they quickly noticed bruises on the child, with medics then confirming that she had sustained physical injuries.
Both the girl’s father, named as Christopher Lidey, and his girlfriend, named as Chelsea Crompton, 34, were reportedly at home at the time. Crompton was later arrested by the police and charged with the little girl’s murder.
It is unclear what the dad, age not reported, was doing at the time of Hazel’s deadly beating.
Hazel died three days later in hospital, according to the police.
Newsflash obtained a first statement from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office dated 22nd November and saying: “On Thursday, 17th November at approximately 2:12pm, Sheriff’s Deputies and Catawba County EMS [Emergency Medical Services] responded to a residence on Hill Haven Dr in Vale following a report that a four-year-old female child was unresponsive at that location.
“This child was transported to an area hospital where she remained until passing away early Sunday morning, 20th November.
“The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division has initiated an investigation into this matter. Investigators are awaiting a report from the medical examiner. Foul play is suspected.”
Newsflash then obtained a second statement from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office dated 25th November and saying that Crompton, reportedly the little girl’s dad’s girlfriend, had been arrested and charged with murder in the death of the four-year-old child.
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office said: “Chelsea Crompton has been charged with murder in the death of Hazel Lidey.
“Crompton, a girlfriend of Lidey’s father, was apprehended without incident at the residence of a family member in Madison County and is presently incarcerated in the Catawba County Detention Facility. “
The police added that Crompton was being held on no bond and was scheduled to appear at the Catawba County District Court today, on Monday 28th November.”
Sheriff Don Brown is quoted in the statement as saying: “Our communities have been shocked by the senseless violence that caused Hazel’s death. We mourn with the Lidey family as they grieve the loss of their child. Justice for Hazel.”
A friend of the family named as Melissa Caudle told local media: “Hazel, she was just a breath of fresh air.”
She added: “A beautiful child. She was just happy. I don’t see how anybody could hurt her.”
A funeral service for Hazel was held at the Hickory Funeral Home on Friday, 25th November. The funeral home said on its website: “Hazel “Bugg” Renee Lidey, daughter of Christopher and Samantha Lidey, gained her precious angel wings, Sunday, November 20, 2022. She was 4 years old.
“She was born on September 10, 2018 in Catawba County. Hazel was a beautiful girl, always lighting up the room when she entered, and never letting a moment pass to aggravate or prank her brother and sister. She had a heart of gold and was so full of life and love.
“Hazel enjoyed making people laugh, watching Baby Shark, Youtube, and turning off her brother, Mason’s, game while he was playing, just to push his buttons and laugh. ‘Hazel Basil’ was her mom’s heart and spice; and her Daddy’s world. Her bright smile and contagious laugh will forever be cherished and missed.
“Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Christopher and Samantha Lidey; sister, Alaina N. Lidey; brother, Mason E. Lidey; paternal grandparents, Terry and Cindy Lidey; maternal grandparents, Clyde and Mary Jackson; uncles, Terry Lidey, William Lidey, and their children, Michael, Landon, and Elizabeth Lidey; C.J. Jackson; and numerous other close family and friends that loved Hazel like family.
“A gathering of friends will be held on Friday, November 25, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Hickory Funeral Home.”
