23-month-old declared brain dead

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- A 23-month-old girl, bruised across her body from repeated beatings, was found unconscious in her home Thursday and later declared brain dead at a hospital, authorities said.

Bobby L. Matthews, the boyfriend of the girl's mother, was charged Thursday with lying about his name to police, and bond was set at $100,000. He is a suspect in the girl's injuries, said Independence police spokesman Bill Pross.

Matthews was arrested earlier Thursday on unrelated warrants, including Missouri probation violations, police said.

The toddler was left alone with Matthews while the girl's mother took her 5-year-old son to a school bus stop. When she returned, the boyfriend pointed out that the toddler was unconscious, and the mother called 911.