Couple Accused Of Causing Girl’s Death Bound Over To Trial
Two suspects accused of causing the death of a 4-year-old girl in Kalamazoo were bound over for trial Monday.
MLive reports that Kelly Ballinger and Matthew Longnecker are charged with murder, first-degree child abuse and possession of methamphetamine in the death of Desaray Thompson. At their preliminary examination, Kalamazoo County prosecutors said that the couple would wrap the girl up in blankets, and then duct tape her so that way she could not move. Desaray was found not breathing with a blanket over her face in early July.
A KDPS officer who spoke with Ballinger the day of the death says that even though her daughter was calling for help, and at some point began gasping, no effort was made to help the child. The couple allegedly admitted to detectives that they had been smoking meth the night of Desaray’s death.
It’s unclear when the defendants will next be in court.