Mother, former boyfriend plead not guilty to 2009 death of a toddler

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A mother and her former boyfriend faced a judge for the 2009 death of her 17-month-old son.

On Monday, Alicia Daley and Jamaine Rhodes pleaded not guilty to complicity to murder and criminal abuse of a child.

Antoine Dixon Jr., was rushed to Kosair Children's Hospital on Nov. 25, 2009, after a worker at his daycare was unable to wake him from a nap. There was vomit on his cot and white foam in his mouth, when he was found.

The toddler had a skull fracture, multiple brain bleeds, liver lacerations, a pelvic fracture, and rib fractures. He died after several days in the hospital.

Police said the number of injuries indicates that Dixon was assaulted on more than one occasion. The injuries happened when the boy was being cared for by both Rhodes and Daley. According to the arrest report from June 2018, Daley failed "to prevent the commission of the offense [which] caused serious physical injury and eventual death of the victim."

After the arrests, LMPD spokesman Dwight Mitchell credited advancements in medical technology. He said both Rhodes and Daley were suspects "for a good deal of time."

The daycare where Dixon was found was cleared of any wrongdoing in his death.