Mother 'battered her 18-month old foster daughter to death after inflicting more than 120 separate injuries'

Kandyce Downer, 35, is accused of beating little Keegan so badly she had broken legs and ribs, and suffered severe head and spine injuries. The little girl, who was fostered by Downer because her drug addict mum was unable to look after her, died last September. More than 120 old or recent bruises, marks and broken bones were discovered on the youngster's body, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Keegan, also known as Shi-Anne, was found unconscious at Downer's home in Beckbury Road, Weoley Castle, Birmingham, on September 5 after suffering a cardiac arrest. She was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital but was pronounced dead.

The court heard Keegan was born on March 9, 2014 and soon after was put into foster care.

In January last year she went to live with Downer, who was studying a full-time business course, and became the tot's legal guardian. Consultant paediatrician Dr Ben Stanhope told the court the tragic tot had the worst injuries he had seen in his 20-year career.

The court heard Keegan had 49 older scars and other marks to the face and body, 29 signs of recent injury to the head and neck and 13 of recent injury to her body.