On April 21, 2022, police responded to a home after getting a report that a child, 4-year-old China Record, was unresponsive, Upper Michigan’s Source reports. When they arrived, they found first responders attempting to save the child’s life, but she was pronounced dead.
During their investigation, authorities learned the child had taken a sip from a bottle of whiskey that was sitting out on the counter, so her grandmother, Roxanne Record, forced her to drink the remaining liquor in the bottle. Authorities believe the bottle could have been half full at the time.
After she was arrested, Roxanne Record told investigators she wanted to take full responsibility for China Record’s death, that she went too far, and that she ruined everyone’s lives. She was found guilty of manslaughter on May 2.
According to Upper Michigan’s Source, China Record’s mother, Kadjah Record, was present and admitted she saw Roxanne Record take the bottle with her into the hallway. Kadjah Record allegedly gave several inconsistent statements to the authorities regarding the incident and was arrested as well.
In court, People reports that Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings said Roxanne Record treated China differently from her other grandchildren. In interviews, other children in the home referred to China Record’s behavior as stealing: “The way that the children referred to it, the way that everybody in that house referred to it, was that it was stealing. … In fact, you will hear the kids’ interviews where they say, ‘You know she stole. She stole all the time.’ What did she steal? Food, water. Stole water at her own home.”
According to People, Kadjah Record has been charged with first-degree murder and cruelty to a child; her first court appearance is scheduled for June 29.
Upper Michigan’s Source reports Roxanne Record will be sentenced on Aug. 10 and faces up to 40 years in prison.
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