Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Prosecutors: Malnourished Girl Force-Fed Sleeping Pills
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 5, 2010
Modified Sep 5, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 5, 2010
Modified Sep 5, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
According to the criminal complaint, Carlotta Brett-Pierce—the mother arrested for assault after police found her four-year-old girl dead and weighing a scant 18 pounds—tied her daughter to her crib after she got up to get a midnight snack, and force-fed her sleeping pills to stop her "wild" behavior. Brooklyn prosecutor Tracey Downing said at the hearing, "The mother tied up the child because she would get up in the night and eat food...and make a mess." Witnesses also say Brett-Pierce beat her daughter with a belt and a "plastic video case."
Brett-Pierce's daughter, Marchella, was born prematurely weighing just over one pound, and suffered from underdeveloped lungs. However, the family has been monitored by the Administration for Children’s Services since November after Brett-Pierce's son was born with drugs in his system. Brett-Pierce attempted to explain the bruises on Marchella's body by saying she fell, but an autopsy revealed they were ligature marks from where Brett-Pierce tied her to her crib with twine.
Brett-Pierce is being held on $300,000 bail, but has not been charged with homicide. She is currently charged with charged with assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. She also has drug charges against her after police found marijuana and cocaine in her purse. Some of her neighbors have said they're not surprised at the charges, and one said, "If she did do it, she gets everything she deserves. God is going to judge her anyway."
Tagged
assault
beating
carlotta brett-pierce
carlotta pierce
death
malnourished girl
marchella pierce
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
A new study found that nearly 2% of the city's natural gas is leaking into the air and causing climate pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
Hit-and-run driver arrested trying to flee to Uzbekistan after deadly crash, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NY measles outbreak more widespread than official count, health officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
A NYC judge brought his gun into court for an ‘experiment’. Now he’s censured.
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .