Lisamarie Villasana / Photo from Chicago Police
A South Side woman has been charged with murder after her 5-year-old stepdaughter was found beaten to death at their South Chicago home Thursday.
Verna Tobicoe was found unresponsive at her home in the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue about 12:15 p.m. Thursday and was declared dead at South Shore Hospital less than an hour later, authorities said.
An autopsy determined Verna died from internal injuries from multiple blunt force impacts, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Verna's stepmother, 27-year-old Lisamarie Villasana, was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered her held without bond Saturday, authorities said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Goldfarb said Verna suffered a lacerated liver, a subdural hematoma on the back of her head, lacerated intestines, multiple skull fractures, and had “fresh and older bruising,” including cigarette burns and a wound on the tip of her right index finger “consistent with a bite,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokeswoman had said that the agency was investigating Verna’s father and stepmother for allegations of abuse and neglect.
The department had prior contact with the family when a 2014 report indicated the girl’s biological mother for neglect, according to the spokeswoman.
Villasana will be back in court Monday.
-- Sun-Times Media Wire