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Proceeds to Benefit Child
Haven

Childhaven was founded in 1909 as the Seattle Day Nursery and, for 100
years, the care of children has been a singular focus. In the
mid-1970's, after having operated as a traditional child care center for
decades, the agency leadership recognized a grave need: a lack of
services for very young victims of abuse and neglect. In 1977 we
initiated the nation's first therapeutically-based child care program
for these vulnerable children. Supported by research that shows brain
development is at its most critical between birth and five years of age,
our work has met with resounding success.
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Katelynn's Story
The 18-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a
2-year-old girl told police that he dropped the child from a height
about level with his shoulders before sexually assaulting her, according
to testimony Friday in a court hearing.
A Fayette County grand jury will consider the case of
Brian Crabtree.
Katelynn Stinnett’s mother and some other relatives
listened as a police detective recounted his interview with Crabtree.
Lexington Police Sgt. Jesse Harris testified that
Crabtree gave him a taped confession several hours after the alleged
crimes occurred.
According to Harris, Crabtree said he gave Katelynn a
bath on the afternoon of Nov. 25, at a Lexington apartment off
Versailles Road. He then dropped her from a height of about his
shoulders to the floor before raping her.
Katelynn’s mother, Angela Johns, cried quietly in the
courtroom, and an aunt was heard gasping, “Oh my God.”
The child died of her injuries Dec. 3.
Crabtree’s public defender Sam Cox asked Harris if he
knew that Crabtree has an IQ of just 68 or that Crabtree couldn’t read
or write.
Harris said Crabtree said he had graduated from high
school, and Harris didn’t question Crabtree further about his education.
Harris also said that Katelynn’s older brother, 3, was in
the apartment at the time that Crabtree said he attacked Katelynn. The
boy told investigators, according to Harris, “Brian hit sissy. Brian hit
sissy.”
Crabtree was watching the children as their father and
his roommate, Daniel Stinnett, worked. Stinnett returned home from work
at a fire and disaster recovery company and found his daughter in a deep
sleep, according to the children’s mother, who wasn’t living with them.
Because it was around the child’s nap time, Stinnett didn’t think much
about it and took her to a friend’s house.
When Katelynn wouldn’t wake up, he called his mother, and
they went together to the hospital.
By Steve Lannen
slannen@herald-leader.com |