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2-year-old dies at babysitter's residence

STAFF REPORT
Posted 6/22/23

A Shelbyville mom is now planning a funeral for her 2-year-old daughter after leaving her in the care of a Tullahoma couple. 

Tullahoma Police arrested the husband of the child's …

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2-year-old dies at babysitter's residence

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A Shelbyville mom is now planning a funeral for her 2-year-old daughter after leaving her in the care of a Tullahoma couple. 

According to a police report released by the Tullahoma Police Department on Saturday, officers arrested the husband of the child's babysitter, Elic Smith, 21.

Coffee County authorities say Kahlani and her twin brother Kaizen were staying at the Smith residence for months while their mom, Linsdey Terk worked evenings and took online classes during the day. She had dropped the twins off at the babysitter's home in Tullahoma last Friday while she went to work.  The wife of the suspect had been watching the siblings for months along with their own two young children. 

First-responders administered life-saving measures and the child was transported to the hospital for treatment, but was later declared deceased, according to the report. Kahlani suffered blunt force trauma to her head and her brother also suffered undisclosed injuries. 

Smith is now in the Coffee County Jail charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. 

If you would like to help the family with funeral expenses, a GoFundMe account has been set up in their name.  Stop by Penalties Sports Bar and Grill in Shelbyville and make a donation. 

Kahlani will be laid to rest on Friday, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. at Doak-Howell Funeral Home in Shelbyville.