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Police arrested a mother and her ex-boyfriend in Mesa in connection with her 8-year-old daughter’s death last week, according to court documents.

Chaimara Washington, 28, and her ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old Brandon Cooper, were arrested Sept. 19 on suspicion of child abuse. The girl died three days later, according to Mesa police officials. 

The 8-year-old girl and Washington’s 4-year-old son both suffered severe injuries, according to a probable cause report filed by police in Maricopa County Superior Court. Her 7-year-old daughter did not have any reported injuries.

On Sept. 19, Washington called 911 and told the dispatcher her daughter had fallen and hit her head. Court documents stated when officers arrived at the apartment near Main Street and Alma School Road, they found the 8-year-old girl unconscious with bruises and lacerations on her body and head. She was taken to the hospital where it was determined she had a brain bleed. 

According to court documents, Washington told investigators “multiple stories” about her children’s various injuries. Documents state she told them she “would use a leather belt to discipline the children when they would not listen or disobey her.” Washington also said she would make them “exercise for extended periods” such as running and jumping over an exercise bag or holding a large book in the corner.

Court documents also stated Washington admitted using a belt to strike the 8-year-old girl multiple times over the previous three days, “causing numerous bruises.” Washington also swung a broken broom handle at her, which caused the laceration on the girl’s arm.

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On Sept. 19, Washington said she punished the girl by making her jump over a “medical book” in the living room, court documents said. While getting up, Washington said the girl hit her head on a door handle, then against the wall and fell back, documents said.

When Washington realized her daughter was unresponsive, according to court documents, she tried to do chest compressions and then carried the girl over to the bathtub to “try to wake her up with water.”

When that didn’t work, Washington called 911 and told Cooper to get the remaining children out of the house. Court documents said he dropped them off at their grandmother’s house.

The documents stated Cooper did not discipline the 8-year-old girl or the 7-year-old girl, but he did admit disciplining the 4-year-old boy, by “slapping his hand if he was not behaving correctly.”

When police searched the apartment, documents said they found two broken broom handles, a punching bag, a large book with duct tape and two belts.

Washington was booked into Estrella Jail on suspicion of child abuse. Cooper was booked into Lower Buckeye Jail on suspicion of child abuse as well. Charges regarding the 8-year-old girl’s death have not been announced.

Washington was scheduled for a court appearance Wednesday, while Cooper is scheduled in court on Oct. 8, according to online records. 

Reach the reporter Jamie Landers at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jamielanderstv

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