ORLANDO, Fla. - The estranged daughter of actor Billy Bob Thornton has been found guilty of aggravated manslaughter for the October 2008 death of a friend's 1-year-old child.
Amanda Brumfield, 32, was acquitted Friday of the first-degree murder and aggravated child-abuse charges she originally faced in the death of her best friend's daughter, whom she was babysitting at the time in Orlando.
Brumfield claimed the child, Olivia Madison Garcia, was trying to climb out of a playpen when the tot fell and hit her head. According to police, Brumfield waited more than two hours to call for help, reports affiliate WKMG.
Brumfield told investigators that the child initially appeared fine after her injury and that's why she waited to get help, says WKMG.
While prosecutors say it's impossible for a fall from that height to cause the three-and-a-half inch fracture and bleeding and swelling found in the girl's brain, the defense suggested the fall may have aggravated a previous injury, causing the 1-year-old's death.
Amanda Brumfield, 32, was accused in the October 2008 death of 1-year-old Olivia Madison Garcia, who she was babysitting when the child fell and suffered fatal injuries. Her trial ended Wednesday in Orlando, Florida, according to court spokesman Karen Connolly Levey.
Thornton released a statement through his publicist a year ago when Brumfield was charged.
The actor is estranged from his daughter "and has had no contact with her for quite some time," publicist Arnold Robinson said.
"When informed about this situation, he (Thornton) commented that, 'Anytime a baby's life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy and my heart goes out to the baby's family and loved ones,' " Robinson told reporter in a written statement.
Brumfield was convicted in the same Orlando courtroom that the Casey Anthony trial is currently taking place. The Brumfield trial lasted less than a week and the verdict was handed down on Friday.
Brumfield was found guilty of manslaughter but not on the murder and aggravated child abuse charges she initially faced. Brumfield was reportedly responsible for death of her best friend's 1-year-old daughter Olivia.
Brumfield claims that while in her care one night in 2008, Olivia Madison Garcia was trying to climb out of a playpen and fell, hitting her head and causing her untimely death.
The prosecution said that it was "impossible" that the fall from that height could cause the three-and-a-half inch fracture on the back of the baby's skull as well as the bleeding and swelling found in her brain.
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