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Police: Beatings Scar Mentally-Challenged St. Pete Girl

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2007

Updated: 12/20/2007 03:11 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - A 36-year-old mother beat her mentally-challenged 10-year-old daughter repeatedly with an extension cord during a six-week period this year, leaving at least 40 permanent marks on the girl's body, police said.

   Latesha Kirksey

Latesha Kirksey was arrested Wednesday on a charge of aggravated child abuse. She was being held without bail at Pinellas County Jail.

She is accused of beating her daughter about the legs, buttocks and back from Oct. 19 through Nov. 30, an arrest affidavit states. The marks are in the shape of loops.

It is unknown why Kirksey struck her daughter, said Bill Proffitt of the St. Petersburg Police Department. She did not cooperate in the investigation, he said.

The girl is staying with her grandmother, Proffitt said. In addition to St. Petersburg detectives, child protection investigators with the Pinellas Sheriff's Office are looking into the matter.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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