GROVELAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Police are investigating the tragic death of a 3-year-old girl from Holly after she was allegedly brutally assaulted by her mother's boyfriend.
Loved ones say they are overcome with sadness and grief after the death of the girl. A death they say was no accident, and we’ve confirmed a suspect being held here at the Oakland County Jail, a person who’s no stranger to the family.
Family members say 3-year-old Trinity Renee Chandler was an incredible joy to all those whose lives she touched.
"Smiles. She was all smiles," her aunt, Ronda Osterberg, said. "She was a happy kid and did not deserve this."
Osterberg said learning of Trinity's sudden death has left their family crushed and heartbroken. She believes the person responsible who was supposed to be watching her turned on Trinity and became physically abusive.
“Stop having the boyfriend’s babysit. They are your lovers, but not your child care. There are too many stories of these mothers leaving their child with the boyfriends," she said.
Osterberg said the boyfriend, who we're not identifying because he hasn't been charged, allegedly assaulted her at the Groveland Manor Mobile Home Park on Saturday.
MSP is launching a full investigation and took him into custody after relatives say he showed up at a nearby fire station with her body.
Osterberg said Trinity's mother's boyfriend had a troubling history of violence and prior issues with the law.
“She was trying to leave him and scared to death of him. If you’re scared to death of him, you don’t leave your child with him," she said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses.
