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New Orleans Police Department- Public Information Office

NOPD Makes an Arrest in Murder of 3-Month-Old Girl

(April 30, 2012)-  NOPD Child Abuse detectives arrested a New Orleans East woman today for the beating death of a 3-month-old.

Detectives approached 39-year-old Angela Bernard this afternoon and asked her more questions after the Coroner’s Office determined that the infant, RyanJae Mitchell, had been murdered.  Bernard, who was the baby’s caretaker, was the only person with RyanJae when she became unresponsive Sunday morning.  During questioning this afternoon, Bernard admitted to hitting the child repeatedly because she would not stop crying. 

Just after 4:30 a.m. yesterday, Bernard called 9-1-1 from her home in the 4600-block of Flake Avenue to say the baby was not breathing.  She says she attempted, with coaching from the operator, to resuscitate the baby, but could not.  EMS brought the child to Tulane Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. 

The Coroner’s Office today said the baby suffered a lacerated liver, broken ribs on both sides of her body, and widespread bruising to her head, face and chest.  Blood had pooled under her eyes. 

During questioning this afternoon with detectives, Bernard confessed to killing RyanJae.  She said she struck the child on the face, leg and back with her hand because the infant would not stop crying.  Bernard also admitted that she dropped the baby after bathing her, but did not bring her to receive medical attention at that time.  

Bernard is booked with First Degree Murder as well as Child Neglect tonight.  She had previously been arrested on drug charges.  

A photo of Angela Bernard is not available at this time, but will be on the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office website later tonight.    

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Contact:  Remi Braden

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