Couple accused of shaking toddler to death

Two Bloomington residents were charged in Monroe County Circuit Court Friday with neglect of a child resulting in serious bodily injury, a felony count. Maurio D. Holt, 24, and girlfriend Ashley Terry, 20, face charges after allegedly shaking a 4-year-old boy to death. In addition to the charges she shares with Holt, Terry also faces a charge of felony battery resulting in death.\nBritain Holt, 4, died last Aug. 19 of a brain hemorrhage, commonly called "shaken baby syndrome," according to a probable-cause affidavit.\nAccording to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, SBS is a head injury which occurs when a baby is shaken violently, suffering brain damage. The Institute's Web site said the condition results typically from "non-accidental trauma"-- child abuse.\nSome symptoms listed included a change in behavior such as irritability, loss of consciousness and vomiting. While usually there are no visible signs of abuse, injuries to the neck and spine may exist.\nHolt said he arrived at his home around 5 a.m., Aug. 19, and found his son bleeding because of a large bump on his head, according to the Bloomington Police Department.\nIn the affidavit, Holt said he took his son to the bathroom, cleaned him up, but later found him lifeless on the bedroom floor. Holt said he thought Terry struck Britain on the head with an unknown object.\nHolt was placed in the custody of the Lawrence County Jail and was charged with violating a custody order. Terry turned herself in, said Deputy Monroe County Prosecutor MaryEllen Diekhoff.