Manatee deputies investigating abuse, death of 15-month-old boy

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 15-month-old boy whose injuries were consistent with child abuse.

On Saturday, deputies were called to Manatee Memorial Hospital because of suspicious circumstances involving Knowellan Kelly.

Deputies said Knowellan was treated at the hospital and then transported to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died Sunday night.

An autopsy performed Tuesday showed Knowellan died of injuries consistent with child abuse. The child had been staying with his mother, Danake Crawford, and her boyfriend, the sheriff's office said.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dave Bristow said the baby's family has been staying at two residences in the county.

"One was a family residence in Bradenton, and another the boyfriend's residence in Palmetto," he said.

Bristow did not release the addresses.

"We will be able to, probably at some point," he said. "It's still an ongoing child abuse investigation."

Crawford, 27, has three other children, ages 2, 3 and 6.

All have been placed in protective custody, according to Maj. Connie Shingledecker of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, deputies said Tuesday evening.

Crawford has a history of allegations of child abuse against her dating back to 2010, according to an investigative summary completed by a child protective investigator with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The most recent investigation was initiated Aug. 16 after her arrest for driving with a suspended license.

The report states Knowellan and his three siblings were left in the same clothes for more than a day, and diapers were left on until they fell to the floor. Also, the children were left outside unsupervised while Crawford and her boyfriend were inside.

"Mom does not bath (sic) the children unless she is fussed at to do so," it states in the report. "The children are outside unsupervised every time they go to the boyfriend's house with mom."

The investigation into those allegations was closed Oct. 14 by sheriff's office child protective investigator Kayla M. Cyphers, with no abuse indicators found. The last person to update the report was investigative supervisor Stephanie Metcalf-Clark.

"The allegations against this family appear to not be true," the report states. "The children were dress (sic) appropriately and appeared that the clothing was bought recently. The children were clean, and looked to be well cared for."

Crawford was using methadone from a clinic, at the time of the investigation. She was raising all four children on her own with help from her parents and her boyfriend.

"The mother is doing the best she can for the children," the report states

A prior 2014 investigation about "substance misuse" was closed with the allegation not substantiated, the report states. Crawford was offered services but declined.

A 2012 investigation verified a finding for substance misuse on one child but not on the other. A 2011 investigation was closed on indicators of the allegations of family violence or substance misuse.

There was an investigation opened in 2010 when both parents, including Crawford, were going to jail and there was no caregiver.

"The mother has sense (sic) gotten help for her issues," the report states.

Crawford's criminal history includes arrests for violation of probation, dealing in stolen property, obtaining money from a pawn broker by fraud, grand theft, uttering a forged instrument, forging bank bills and petit theft.

Anyone with information on the case can call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2519, or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

Amaris Castillo, Herald law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. You can follow her on Twitter @AmarisCastillo.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Manatee deputies investigating abuse, death of 15-month-old boy ."