Records: Dad Was Punishing Toddler For Playing In Toilet Water

Dad Charged In Toddler?s Death (Added: July 24, 2009)

NBC 4 has the latest as the teen father appears in court for his arraignment. (more)

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Records: Dad Was Punishing Toddler For Playing In Toilet Water

UPDATE: A local teen is arraigned and bonded Friday on a felony charge related to the suspicious death of his 2-year-old daughter.

By: Tom Brockman | NBC4i.com
Published: July 24, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local teen was arraigned Friday on a felony charge related to the suspicious death of his 2-year-old daughter.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Dressed in a county issued jumpsuit, 18-year-old Dwann Allen appeared in front of a Franklin County judge to face a felony child endangerment charge.

Bexley police officials said Allen made a 911 call Wednesday, saying his daughter, Zy’niah Braswell, “fell and was breathing really, really funny.”

Police arrived at Allen’s Bexley apartment on Mayfield Place and found the toddler unresponsive.

She died hours later at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Authorities said Zy’niah’s injuries were inconsistent with what Allen said initially happened.

An autopsy revealed she died of injuries to her head, chest and abdomen.

Allen told police he was punishing Zy'niah after she kept playing in toilet water. It was then he allegedly spanked her, grabbed and squeezed her by the abdomen and put her on a TV stand. He said she fell off the stand. That’s all according to court records read Friday.

Authorities said Allen could be charged with more crimes and detectives are interviewing Allen’s wife who is the girl’s mother.

Authorities were not identifying the mother currently.

Allen's attorney refused to speak with NBC 4 on camera but described Allen in court as a Boy Scout with a clean record.

Bexley Sgt. Tony Martin said Allen didn’t have an adult record but told detectives the ankle monitor he was wearing was out of a robbery charge.

Allen was given a $250,000 cash surety bond Friday morning.

Allen’s attorney said Allen is due to graduate from East High School in the coming days.

It appeared Allen will be in the Franklin County jail instead.

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