Ladyville babysitter charged with manslaughter

Danna Banner, the babysitter accused of causing the death of a two year-old girl in her care, was this afternoon charged with Manslaughter. Chief Magistrate Margaret Gabb remanded Banner, a resident of Ladyville, after Prosecutor, Sergeant Ludwig Castillo, objected to bail. Castillo’s arguments were based on two points: that the offence is a heinous one and that the victim was only two years old. Banner, who was undefended, told the court that she should be granted bail because she wanted to spend time with her own child, a one year old girl. While the autopsy certifies that baby Vernice Rodriguez died from head trauma due to a blow with a blunt object, Banner denied ever hitting the child in the head. Meanwhile, Castillo said police are still investigating and that there are other people they are looking to for help. Banner took baby Vernice to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital on Sunday morning and left without giving her particulars to authorities. The child died that same afternoon. News Five understands that Banner has given a caution statement in which she confessed to beating the child. She will remain in prison until her next court date on June twentieth.