CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A Conway woman is charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of a 3-year-old girl taken to Grand Strand Medical with severe head injuries Wednesday morning.
The Conway Police Department received a call Wednesday morning in connection with a “wounded” 3-year-old child, identified as Jada Strange, who had been taken to a local hospital around 11 a.m. by Horry County EMS.
According to Sgt. Darren Alston with Conway police, officers were dispatched to the Grand Strand Medical Center Wednesday around 11 a.m. Officers were briefed concerning the “wounded” 3-year-old girl with life threatening injuries.
Thursday afternoon, Jada was listed in critical condition and the medical staff deemed the young patient to be brain-dead, says Sgt. Alston. All the injuries the little girl sustained were to her head, and Jada died Thursday as a result of those injuries, Sgt. Alston confirms.
Conway police arrested Alicia Kasper, 29, of Conway, in the young girl’s death. Kasper was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center at 2:05 p.m. Saturday on one charge of homicide by child abuse.
The Administrative Office of J. Reuben Long Detention Center confirms Kasper had a bond hearing at 9 a.m. Monday, where Judge Jane Mackey denied bond for the suspected killer. Kasper’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 2016, according to online records from Horry County Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.
Sgt. Alston says Jada’s father is not being implicated in his daughter’s death at this time. Conway Police and the Department of Social Services continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jada’s death. There is no record of previous abuse from Jada’s father or Kasper in Conway Police Department records, adds Sgt. Alston.
Police confirm that Kasper is the girlfriend of Jada’s father. An arrest warrant for Kasper states the 29-year-old was living with Jada, and Jada’s father, at the time she reportedly injured, and ultimately killed, the 3-year-old. The warrant reads that Kasper “was in the care, custody and control of [Jada]. That [Kasper] did inflict injuries upon [Jada] resulting in death.”
ARREST WARRANT: View arrest warrant for Alicia Kasper
Jada would have turned 4-years-old December 14. An online obituary for the bubbly little girl states everyone around her loved her personality and beautiful spirit.
“Jada brought so much joy and happiness to everyone around her. She enjoyed performing for others and she loved everything in reference to Frozen. Jada was a loving daughter and granddaughter, who will be greatly missed,” the memorial post reads.
Visitation and memorial services for Jada are planned for Tuesday beginning at 3 p.m. at Watson Funeral Services Chapel in Conway.
