Two people charged with child abuse and neglect in the death of a 2-year-old girl

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – A tragic call was made to police about a suspected child abuse incident in south Bakersfield on Thursday evening.

A two-year-old girl who was abducted by police from a Vernal Place home was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries. Police also took another child into protective custody.

Two people were arrested for child abuse. Greg MacDonald, 29, is charged in the child’s death. 40-year-old Chandy MacCarthy was charged with child endangerment.

MacDonald and MacCarthy are both from Reno, Nevada and were booked into Lerdo Prison.

Across the street, Brent Maddox was surprised to see a police presence on a normally quiet street.

“As far as patrols, they get through, but as far as violence or anything like that, I haven’t seen much of it,” Maddox said.

This story is another tragic tale of alleged child abuse in Kern County. On Tuesday, Kern Public Health released its report reviewing child deaths in 2023. It showed there were 64 deaths in people under 17.

The most common cause of death was an accident. Thirteen of these cases involved blunt force trauma, including vehicle accidents. Seven of them were considered homicides; four were killed by gunfire and two died of fentanyl overdoses.

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Jana Slagle with the Department of Human Services said they receive hundreds of reports of child abuse every month.

“Our hotline receives hundreds and hundreds of calls every month, not all of which are things we could investigate,” Slage said.

If a death occurs, DHS will ensure that all other children in the home are placed in protective custody until further notice.

“I don’t have any answers as to why people become abusive,” Slage said. “It’s just that people don’t have the skills to cope with the events in their lives and, sadly, they take it out on their children.”

Anyone can report a child abuse case to DHS and can do so anonymously. If you notice abuse, call the CPS hotline at 661-631-6011.

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