News

Actions

Child dies after being found unresponsive at Grand Rapids-area motel; man arrested

Posted at 9:30 AM, May 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-02 16:51:54-04

GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A child has died after being found unresponsive at a Plainfield Avenue motel over the weekend.

The child, identified by family members as Londyn Amir, 2, passed away at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Kent County Sheriff's Office.

Ricky Whiteside, Jr. - at arraignment 5/2/18

Kent County deputies were called to the Lazy T Motel in the 3300 block of Plainfield NE Sunday night at about 11:30 p.m.  The girl was found not breathing and unconscious. Deputies and EMS personnel worked to revive the girl and she was hospitalized in critical condition until Wednesday when she died.

In court documents, investigators say that Rickey Whiteside, Jr. told them he was watching Amir while the girl's mother, Shaniqua Strickland was at the store.  He told deputies that he "lost it" and punched Amir in the face, knocking her down, unconscious.

Kent County officials tell FOX 17  Whiteside, Jr. is the boyfriend of Strickland.  Strickland was staying at the hotel.

Whiteside is being held on a charge of first-degree child abuse without bond.   He was arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

The prosecutor's office will review the case for additional charges. The sheriff's office says he will likely face felony murder charges.