TWO CHARGED IN ENDANGERING CHILD

The mother of a Sikeston toddler who died last April in Cape Girardeau and a friend of the mother have been charged with endangering the child's welfare.

Gwendolyn Wims, 22, and Telly S. Caldwell, 23, were arrested Tuesday by Cape Girardeau police. Judge Gary Kamp set bond at $5,000 each. Wims remained in custody Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau County Jail while Caldwell bonded out.

Two-year-old Desire Wims died April 23 from head injuries. She and her mother were staying at Caldwell's apartment at 2854 Whitener. The child died about an hour after being taken to St. Francis Medical Center.

Police said the injuries were caused by blunt trauma. Police say the girl suffered a head injury, stomach hemorrhaging, three cuts to the rectum, a hemorrhage to the hymen, and multiple bruises to the lower back, left shoulder and the face.

Police said Caldwell and Wims were charged with failing to adequately care for the child and failing to prevent the child from suffering fatal injuries inflicted upon her by defendant or the other custodian from April 9 to April 24.

The girl's death has been under review by the Cape Girardeau County Child Fatality Review Panel chaired by Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Swingle said charges against Wims and Caldwell were filed Nov. 4, but police did not find them until Tuesday. They were arrested at Caldwell's Whitener Street apartment.

Both charges are misdemeanors.