Two Utah healthcare workers charged with attempted aggravated murder, child torture

SANDY, Utah (KUTV) — A Utah couple was charged with attempted aggravated murder, aggravated child abuse, and child torture after a 3-year-old was hospitalized in Sandy.

Amber Lee Leary, a certified nursing assistant, and Tyrel Scott Belone, a nurse, were charged Wednesday with three first-degree felonies, according to officials with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

The couple was first arrested on June 28 after police responded to a 911 call, finding a 3-year-old unconscious and covered in bruises.

Before Leary left for work, police said her boyfriend, Belone, threw her daughter on the mattress where she “ricocheted” and hit her head on the wall. Belone said her breathing and heart rate were fine, but she wasn’t responsive. Leary then allegedly left for work.

MORE | 2 healthcare workers face several felony child abuse-related charges

A Sandy couple is facing several felony domestic violence-related charges for the alleged abuse of a three-year-old girl. (Photo: KUTV)

According to police, Belone contacted Leary, saying she needed to come home, and Leary called out of work. The couple then allegedly called Belone’s mother, who also works in healthcare, and she asked to see the child over FaceTime. Belone refused and left the room, but Leary showed her, and she instructed them to take her to the hospital.

Leary said that Belone wouldn’t let her call 911 and said things like, ‘If you call, I’ll go to jail, you don’t have any money, you don’t have any friends.’ Leary said, ‘What if she dies?’ and Belone responded, ‘She’ll be fine,'” officials said.

Leary then went outside, saying she was going to smoke, and instead called 911.

The child was transported to the hospital, where she was treated for a brain bleed and skull fracture. At last report, she was in critical condition.

Belone allegedly admitted to spanking, striking, and punching the child while Leary was in the room after becoming frustrated with potty training. He claimed Leary had never physically gotten between them to stop the assault.

The previous Sunday, June 22, Leary claimed Belone texted her saying, “I am going to murder her,” and later sent other threats. Leary allegedly did not leave work or contact anyone for help. When she finished her shift, she came home to her daughter badly bruised with her eyes swollen shut and stayed home with her that next week, according to officials.

Belone was not originally facing an attempted aggravated murder charge upon arrest, but Leary and Belone are now charged with the same crimes.

If you are a parent who is struggling with your children, please ask for help from friends or family or outside organizations that can help you. As parents, we are meant to protect and raise our children in a healthy environment where they can flourish,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.

The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-897-5465, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.

For child abuse prevention resources, including crisis nurseries, visit dcfs.utah.gov/services/prevention.

A list of local domestic violence shelters can be found at domesticshelters.org. Resources and shelter are also available through the YWCA of Utah.

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