Update: Shaniqua Leonard is being held without bail following her arraignment on the reckless endangerment of a child charge in Brockton District Court on Friday. She’s scheduled for a dangerousness hearing on Monday. Authorities allege that 2-year-old Lyric Farrell was in “serious distress” and needed “immediate” care, which Leonard didn’t get for her within “a timely manner.”

Woman Held In Connection With Death Of Whitman Toddler pic.twitter.com/11AJa5js37 — DA Tim Cruz (@PlymouthCtyDAO) January 10, 2020

Initial story below:

A 2-year-old Whitman girl died on New Year’s Eve, and now her mother is being charged in connection with her death, authorities said.

Shaniqua Leonard, 29, was arrested Thursday in Dorchester, and is being charged with reckless endangerment of a child. She’s set to be arraigned in Brockton District Court.


It was just after midnight on Dec. 28 that authorities were called to 863 Washington St, #3, for a report of a toddler who wasn’t responsive, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office in a news release.

The child, identified as Lyric Farrell, was brought to Brockton Hospital, and then flown to Boston Children’s Hospital in critical condition, the release said. She was later taken off life support around 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. An autopsy was performed, and the state’s Chief Medical Examiner will determine a cause and manner of death. The investigation is continuing.

State Police Arrest Mother In Connection With Death Of Whitman Toddler pic.twitter.com/XYVSmiyWYB — DA Tim Cruz (@PlymouthCtyDAO) January 9, 2020