- A Sandy couple was arrested for allegedly abusing a 3-year-old girl.
- Tyrel Scott Belone was arrested for investigation of aggravated child abuse and assault.
- Amber Lee Leary is suspected of attempted aggravated murder and child torture.
SANDY — A Sandy couple has been arrested for allegedly abusing the woman's 3-year-old daughter.
Tyrel Scott Belone, 28, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Saturday for investigation of aggravated child abuse, aggravated assault, witness tampering, three counts of child abuse and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
By Monday afternoon, his girlfriend, Amber Lee Leary, 29, was also arrested for investigation of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated child abuse and child torture.
Emergency crews were called Friday to a basement apartment in Sandy where they found an unresponsive 3-year-old girl, according to a police booking affidavit. The girl was ultimately flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital where it was discovered that she "has bruises over her entire body, which range from light green, purple and dark brown. (She) has a soft spot on her head, which was identified as a skull fracture," according to the affidavit.
Doctors determined the bruises "are not consistent with accidental injury or from play."
Belone, who police say is a "traveling nurse," allegedly told officers that "he became frustrated and angry over potty training" with the girl, the affidavit states. "Tyrel threw (the girl) on her bed and she ricocheted off the bed and hit the wall with her head."
Belone "also admitted to punching her in the cheekbone and her left side of her temple with a closed fist. Another time, Tyrel used the palm of his hand and struck each side of her cheekbone at least two times. Tyrel also admitted slapping (the girl) in the face," according to the affidavit.
When Leary tried to intervene one day and stop Belone from going after the girl, he put his arm around her neck, the affidavit states.
"Tyrel tried to convince Leary not to call the police. Leary further stated, earlier in the week, Tyrel punched (the girl) in the face and head because (she) had a potty-training accident. Leary tried to intervene, and Tyrel grabbed (her) by the throat and slammed her head on the couch. Her head hit the back of the couch, where it has a hard surface. Leary stated he grabbed her from behind and choked her," according to the affidavit.
Belone is Leary's boyfriend. Police say the two live together with Leary's young daughter, and Belone primarily watches the girl during the day although he is not her father.
As the investigation into the alleged abused progressed, detectives learned that Belone sent Leary a text on June 22 "indicating that he was going to 'murder' (the girl). Leary received that text message while at work and did not leave work, nor did she make any effort to call 911 nor anyone else for that matter," her booking affidavit states.
Other subsequent messages included "come get her I'm about to crack her skull" and "come home I'm going to stab her." But "Leary again did not leave work, nor did she make any effort to call 911 or anyone else for that matter," the affidavit states.
On the morning the alleged abuse by Belone, Leary admitted "she left for work ... while (the girl) was unresponsive" because she did not think Belone was being "serious" when he told her, according to the affidavit. But even after she found out, Leary waited "almost an hour and a half" before calling 911, police stated.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
- The Utah Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect families with community resources. Its goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe." Visit dcfs.utah.gov/contact-us/ or call 801-538-4100.
- The Christmas Box House acts as a temporary shelter for children and can provide them with new clothing and shoes, among other services. Call the Salt Lake office at 801-747-2201 or the Ogden office at 801-866-0350.
