Mother charged in death of her 2-year-old daughter

FALLS TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Falls Township Police charged a Bucks County mother in the death of her two-year-old daughter, who investigators say was kicked repeatedly in the head and body.

Kayla Moore, 24, is facing criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child charges.

This all started on Sunday night when police responded to the Wellington Woods apartment complex on Sweetbriar Road. Police say Moore called 911 saying that her child was in cardiac arrest.

The child, who police later identified as Athena Wolfe, was rushed to a nearby hospital and eventually transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she died Monday night.

"People at CHOP, who deal with children all the time, were horrified at the condition of the child," said Lt. Henry Ward of the Falls Twp. Police.

Police say Moore's initial story was that Athena fell while playing, but doctors and the medical examiner said it was impossible for that to explain Athena's injuries.

Lt. Ward said he was told by the M.E. that "these types of injuries are more commonly seen in car accidents."

Investigators say that, when confronted with that information while being interviewed by officers on Tuesday night, Moore admitted to kicking the girl.

According to a criminal complaint filed by police, doctors at the hospital said that Athena appeared to be "terribly battered and injured."

The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma, and the manner homicide.

When asked about why Moore kicked the child, Lt. Ward said Moore claimed to be under stress and 'snapped.' She allegedly told police Athena had frequent temper tantrums.

Moore has two other children, police say. One of them, a 4-year-old, was in the house at the time. Police believe the child was in another room at the time of the incident and did not witness it. She is in the custody of Children and Youth Services, which is investigating whether that child was abused.

The other girl lives with another family in western Pennsylvania, police say, which is where Moore lived until she moved to the area last April.

Moore appeared before a judge early Wednesday morning.

Bail was denied, and she is now in custody at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

"It's sad. you don't expect it. I've been here a year and a half. People are very quiet, they keep to themselves," said neighbor Robert Richter.

"You don't expect this right next door."