BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts mother charged with failing to seek timely medical help for her toddler daughter who later died has been granted bail and will be allowed to attend the girl’s funeral, a judge has ruled.

Shaniqua Leonard, 29, of Whitman, appeared in court Monday for a dangerousness hearing, The Enterprise of Brockton reported. Bail was set at $2,500.

Leonard is charged with reckless endangerment of a child in connection with 2-year-old Lyric Farrell’s death last month.

Leonard neglected to get medical attention for Lyric for days after the girl suffered a “non-accidental” head injury despite the fact she was lethargic and suffering, prosecutors said.


When Leonard finally called 911 on Dec. 28 because Lyric was not breathing and did not have a pulse, it was too late, prosecutors said. The toddler died Dec. 31.

While Leonard did not call 911 right away or bring Lyric to the hospital after the injury, she did call the hospital and her case worker with the Department of Children and Families said her attorney, Michael Tumposky.

No one has been charged with inflicting the head injury, but prosecutors say more charges are possible once the medical examiner’s office completes an autopsy.