SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — A Utah couple is facing serious charges after their 3-year-old daughter was found in critical condition following what authorities describe as a brutal beating. Tyrel Scott Belone, 28, and Amber Lee Leary, 29, have been charged with attempted aggravated murder, aggravated child abuse, and child torture in connection with the severe abuse of C.W., their young daughter, who remains in a medically-induced coma.
Discovery of the Incident
On June 28, around 7:15 a.m., Sandy Police responded to a distress call at a home and found Leary standing outside. She led officers to the basement, where they discovered C.W. lying on her back, unresponsive and showing signs of severe injury. Police reported that C.W. had multiple bruises on her body, including marks just below her eyes, and appeared to be suffering from oxygen deprivation. She was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Alleged Details of the Abuse
In the days leading up to the incident, police discovered disturbing details about the couple’s behavior. According to court documents, Belone admitted to repeatedly abusing C.W. in the weeks before the incident. He stated that the child had been regressing in her potty training, leading to frustration. Belone reported that, in the early morning hours of June 28, C.W. had defecated and urinated in the home. He claimed that he threw her onto a mattress, causing her head to hit the wall. He further admitted to punching her in the face with a closed fist several times, including incidents that left visible bruises on her face and head.
Belone allegedly described the abuse as part of his frustration with C.W.’s behavior, calling her “feral” and saying that he “couldn’t have a life together with her being like this.”
The Response and Investigation
Leary, the mother, told police she was unaware of the extent of the injuries until she returned home from work. She reportedly referred to her daughter as “dead with a heartbeat” and expressed concern to Belone’s mother over FaceTime. Leary eventually called 911, but only after a long period of hesitation.
Leary’s inaction during the abuse has led to serious accusations. Authorities contend that she failed to seek help or intervene during the abuse, despite witnessing visible injuries on her daughter. The arrest warrant for Leary states that she “made the choice to watch the abuse happen” and failed to seek medical attention or contact law enforcement.
A Pattern of Abuse
Text messages between the couple, as detailed in the police complaint, show disturbing threats made by Belone in the days leading up to the incident. One message allegedly read, “I am going to murder her,” and another text suggested, “I am going to crack her skull.” These messages point to a disturbing pattern of escalating violence, which culminated in the brutal attack on June 28.
Medical Concerns for C.W.
A pediatrician who evaluated C.W. after the attack expressed grave concerns about her condition, stating that she was at high risk of further injury or death if returned to the custody of the caregivers who inflicted these injuries. C.W. remains in the intensive care unit of a local children’s hospital, and her current status is considered guarded.
Legal Action and Charges
Both Belone and Leary face serious charges. Belone is accused of extreme acts of violence against the child, while Leary is being charged for failing to intervene and protect her daughter from harm. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the abuse and the involvement of both parents in the child’s suffering.
As of Tuesday, C.W. remains in critical condition, and the investigation continues. Authorities have vowed to hold both parents accountable for their actions.
