John Jefferson
Background: Ashley Caris sobs in court over the killing of her daughter (WHNS/YouTube). Inset: Tyler David Ternberg (Greenville County Sheriff’s Office).
A mother in South Carolina devastated over the loss of her 4-year-old daughter at the hands of her boyfriend broke down in court Friday as she spoke to him at a bond hearing — asking, “Why would you do something like this to her?” — after it was revealed that he purposely abused the special needs girl and caused her death through “non-accidental” blunt force trauma, according to police.
“You didn’t have to hurt my baby,” said mom Ashley Caris, while sobbing in court. “She was my entire world. … I hate you, Tyler. I hate you so much.”
Tyler David Ternberg, 28, has been charged with homicide by child abuse for the death of Addison Carr, who used a feeding tube and was unable to move around due to lack of oxygen at birth, according to her mother. Local FOX affiliate WHNS reports that Addison was allegedly killed the day after Christmas, with her autopsy revealing that she suffered “non-accidental” blunt force trauma. Her death was ruled as a homicide by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m just sad and mad at the same time,” Carr’s father, Stanley Carr, told WHNS after Ternberg’s bond hearing. “I don’t know how somebody could do this to somebody like Addie.”
Authorities allege that Ternberg was Caris’ boyfriend and was caring for Addison at the time of her death. It’s unclear how he allegedly caused the “non-accidental” injuries to the child, only that they were done through blunt force trauma — and that they were fatal.
“She was beaten and shaken until she lost her life,” a GoFundMe description says of Addison’s death. Friends and family launched the online fundraiser — with Stanley Carr listed as a “team member” and recipient — to help with funeral costs and other expenses related to losing Addison.
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“She had several health issues from the day she was born, but she was a light and a joy to so many people,” the description says.
Addison’s father told WHNS he will always remember his daughter for the happiness she brought into the world.
“My biggest thing is just remembering that smile from her all the time,” he said. “She was just a sweetheart.”
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