Family in dispute over girl on life support

Police say the 2-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital after she was allegedly abused has died, although some family members are disputing her death. Police say Thaiya Spruill-Smith was pronounced

News 12 Staff

•

Nov 17, 2014, 4:52 AM

•

Updated 3,783 days ago

Police say the 2-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital after she was allegedly abused has died, although some family members are disputing her death.

Police say Thaiya Spruill-Smith was pronounced dead Friday night. However, some relatives say the girl is still hooked up to life support machines.

The family says there is a dispute over who has the authority to allow the girl to be taken off life support. Some relatives say they will go to court over the issue.

Authorities say the girl was initially rushed to Brookdale Hospital Thursday with a massive head injury. They say she lived in Brownsville with her stepfather and biological mother.

Police have arrested her stepfather, 25-year-old David Adams, in connection to the case. Adams is facing charges of assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child.

The Administration for Children's Services is also conducting an investigation into the incident.

Police say that once taken off life support, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the girl's exact cause of death, and more charges are likely to follow against Adams.

Thaiya's aunt says the family will go to court on Monday to figure out who has the authority to take her off life support and make funeral arrangements.