GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- Alicia Lewie, 22, left Glens Falls City Court in handcuffs, after being arrested and charged in connection with the death of her 7-month-old baby, Colbi Bullock.
Glens Falls Police Chief Joe Bethel said, "I can say that we've charged the mother with reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony, and we'll continue to follow up with any leads in the investigation."
A 7-month-old baby is dead after being brutally abused by the man who was taking care of him, and now the baby's mother is also charged in connection.
Lewie left her son in the care of Michael Flint Jr., 23, who is accused of beating, choking and biting the baby at his home on Bay Street over the course of two days. Police said the baby lost consciousness on Tuesday. That's when Flint called the mother. But she didn't call police right away, instead taking the child to Glens Falls Hospital.
The child died from the injuries a day later at Albany Medical Center. Flint has pleaded not guilty to assault charges at this time. Those charges are expected to be upgraded, and while he does have a long criminal record, this latest crime has left even his family members shocked.
"I mean, he has prior convictions when it comes to orders of protections against girls, and that's because he has a temper. But we never thought in a million years he'd do this to a baby. Not at all," said Flint's cousin Carrie Harwood.
Flint's relatives also say their thoughts are with Colbi and his grandparents and Alicia's other two young children.
"Colbi was a beautiful boy. He was happy. Michael sucked the life out of him, and it just wasn't right," said Harwood.
Meanwhile, both Flint and Lewie were sent back to jail for lack of bail. Warren County DA Kate Hogan says Flint will face a grand jury on Friday and he may be charged with murder in the second-degree in the coming days. Flint has a prior criminal record of 10 convictions, including a felony for brutally beating a puppy just a few months ago.