Woman charged for abuse of 2 children after death of 3-year-old in West Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl in West Philadelphia, who was found in a bathtub with bruises on her body early Friday morning.

Two other children are now in the care of the city's Department of Human Services, while the woman tasked with caring for them is under arrest.

Those two young children, a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, were taken out of the apartment on the 400 block of N. 50th Street early Friday morning.

On Saturday, the District Attorney's Office announced that the 23-year-old mother, identified as Kiarali Rodriguez-Ayala, has been arrested and charged in connection with endangering the welfare of the 2-year-old and the 4-year old.

The 2- and 4-year-old children were treated for bruising and burn marks on their bodies, the DA's office said.

The 3-year-old who died is not Rodriguez-Ayala's child.

Sources say Rodriguez-Ayala told investigators that the mother of the 3-year-old dropped her off last Friday, and she has been in her care since.

The woman allegedly told police she was bathing the child at 2:30 in the morning when she went downstairs to let someone in the front door.

She returned to find the 3-year-old unresponsive in the tub.

Police say the girl was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia but she did not survive.

Investigators also say there is evidence of bruises on the 3-year-old's body.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Rodriquez-Ayala has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, Endangering Welfare of Children, Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person, along with one count of Possession of an Instrument of Crime. The court set bail at $1 million and a Stay Away Order.

Rodriguez-Ayala has not been charged in the death of the 3-year-old. The 3-year-old's death still remains under investigation.