DETROIT -- Carol Ann Poole, 40, of Canton
Township, a licensed foster care operator, was charged
Monday with felony murder and first-degree child abuse
in the death of a 2-year-old girl in her care.
Allison Newman was found
unresponsive on Sept. 22 at Poole's home on Emily Court.
The child's death,
according to the medical examiner, was a traumatic head
injury.
Felony murder carries a
penalty of life in prison without parole.
Wayne County Prosecutor
Kym Worthy also charged Poole with first-degree child
abuse and manslaughter. Both offenses carry a maximum
penalty of 15 years in prison.
"Children are most
precious," Worthy said. "This is true no matter the
geographic, socio-economic or ethnic identity. Once the
full facts are known, it will be clear this is a felony
murder."
Poole is expected to be
arraigned Monday afternoon in 35th District in Plymouth.
Poole's other foster
child, a 3-month-boy, was removed from her home by child
protective services.