A brawl broke out in a packed courtroom Wednesday after a former daycare owner was sentenced in the death of a seven-week-old baby.
The fight erupted Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA shortly after 37-year-old Claudette Mitchell was led away in handcuffs after being sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
Mitchell was charged in the death of Savaiyah Reid, who was fatally injured at her daycare in August 2017.
Originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide, Mitchell pleaded guilty in September to neglecting a child, resulting in death.
In court, Mitchell said she did not cause the baby’s injuries but feels responsible.
She said in a court statement: ‘I can’t express how sad I am for this tragedy.’
After sentencing, an altercation broke out involving about 50 members of the defendant’s and victim’s families and friends.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department says additional deputies and DA investigators were called to restore order.
The department said: ‘An emotional homicide case involving the death of a two-month-old child resulted in a post-sentencing altercation between about 50 members of the defendant’s and victim’s families and friends.
‘Additional security was in place due to prior contentious hearings, but the defendant’s side did not comply with deputies’ orders to remain in the courtroom while the victim’s family was being escorted out.’