Investigators say a 3-year-old Central Florida girl suspected of being killed by her mother was determined to be safe six months before her death, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Department of Children and Families reports show that investigators received a tip that Maryann Schwartz, the mother, was seen punching Yeliani Schwartz-Ojeda and her younger brother at a homeless shelter where they lived, the Sentinel reports. But when investigators visited, they reported that they found the children to be happy and healthy, the Sentinel reports.
Schwartz, who in June reported that her daughter was the victim of a hit-and-run driver, now faces child abuse and first-degree murder charges, the Sentinel reports. DCF stands by its earlier decision to leave the the children with Schwartz, according to the Sentinel.