Troy woman charged with first-degree child abuse after 13-month-old suffers severe brain injury

Charge filed months after September 2025 injury

An Oakland County woman has been charged with first-degree child abuse in connection with severe injuries suffered by a toddler while the child was in her care, prosecutors announced Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Swapna Hari, 44, of Troy, was charged after a 13-month-old child sustained what authorities described as severe head trauma resulting in serious brain damage. The injuries were reported to have occurred on Sept. 3, 2025, while Hari was babysitting the child.

Authorities dispute caregiver’s account of what happened

Investigators said Hari told authorities the child fell backward while eating and began choking. Prosecutors said the child was taken to a hospital and treated for severe head trauma and serious brain injury.

Prosecutors also said medical findings and the injury pattern were not consistent with a choking episode or a backward fall, describing the case as a suspected inflicted trauma. The prosecutor’s office characterized the child as previously healthy before the incident.

“In a single moment, this healthy and happy 13-month-old child suffered a life-changing injury, allegedly at the hands of this defendant,” Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement.

What the charge means under Michigan law

First-degree child abuse is among the most serious child-abuse charges in Michigan and can carry a potential penalty of life in prison upon conviction. Prosecutors did not announce additional charges Tuesday and did not provide further details about the child’s current condition beyond describing the injuries as life-altering.

Case status and what comes next

The prosecutor’s announcement did not include a court date, bond determination, or details about the next scheduled hearing. The charging decision comes nearly six months after the reported incident, reflecting the time often required for investigators and prosecutors to review medical records, consult experts, and evaluate whether an explanation offered for a child’s injuries aligns with clinical findings.

• Defendant: Swapna Hari, 44, of Troy

• Charge: First-degree child abuse

• Date of alleged injury: Sept. 3, 2025

• Charging date announced: Feb. 24, 2026

Hari is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.