Hempstead woman charged in alleged attack on her toddler daughter

A Hempstead woman has been arrested and charged in an alleged attack on her toddler daughter in which she repeatedly swung the child, striking her head against a concrete wall, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Thursday.

Chantel Barnes, 28, committed the alleged "violent and chaotic attack" inside a Hempstead apartment complex last month, Donnelly’s office said in a news release. The 21-month-old girl suffered fractures to her skull and clavicle, according to the release.

About 4 p.m. on March 9, Barnes allegedly ran into the hallway of the apartment building, her clothes covered in blood, carrying the toddler, Donnelly said in the release, adding that the woman was screaming and saying she had killed her daughter.

Barnes began "aggressively swinging the toddler into a wall, slamming her head and face repeatedly" Donnelly said. She then ran away, leaving her daughter behind.

The toddler’s father found the child upon returning home from work and called first responders "with the help of another family member," the district attorney said.

"After medical intervention, the little girl has incredibly made a full recovery," Donnelly said. "Violent crimes against vulnerable children are unthinkable, especially at the hands of parents who should be the most trusted adults in a child’s life."

The Nassau County Police Department’s Special Victims Squad detectives arrested Barnes on Wednesday, the release said. She pleaded not guilty before Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Helene Gugerty in Mineola to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Gugerty issued a "stay away ordered of protection" and ordered Barnes held on $110,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond and $1 million partially secured bond.

She is expected to return to court May 19, Donnelly said. She faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Ryan Holt, who the district attorney’s office identified as Barnes’ defense attorney, could not be reached for comment late Thursday.