Foster mom enters plea in baby's death

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach woman pleaded guilty to killing her infant foster child in February 2010.

Kathleen Susan Ganiere, 30, who previously resided in the 5300 block of Glenville Circle, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in accordance with a plea agreement, Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey L. Bryant announced Wednesday.

According to the Commonwealth's evidence, Ganiere and her husband became foster parents to Braxton Taylor, a 7-month-old healthy child, in November 2009.

For the first seven weeks, Braxton did well with her and her husband. Ganiere's husband stayed home with Braxton and the defendant for the first two months using terminal leave from the Navy, Bryant said in a news release.

The defendant's husband left for San Diego on Jan. 31, 2010 and returned just after midnight on Feb. 5, 2010. During that time period, Ganiere was the sole care provider for Braxton. Prior to him leaving, Braxton was able to sit up and would engage people with his eyes and reach for things.

When the defendant's husband returned from San Diego and got a chance to interact with Braxton he began to cry. Braxton could no longer sit up, and was unable to fix his eyes on things and follow things with his eyes. He would also shake for hours at a time.

On Feb. 6, Ganiere was home alone with Braxton. He ceased to breathe and was rushed to the hospital.

Upon examination at the hospital, he had the following injuries: cauliflower ear, a bruised groin, bruised testicles, and a subdural hematoma.

Braxton weighed less upon admission to the hospital than he weighed during his six month baby check-up in Oct. 2009, Bryant said.

Dr. Gunther, of the medical examiner's office, would have testified that he had brain swellings as a result of shaking and that this would have caused his brain to fill with blood.

This ultimately led to his death on Feb. 7, 2010.

Ganiere has no prior criminal history.

She agreed to turn herself into the Virgnia Beach Sheriff's Office on June 24, and will remain in custody until she is formally sentenced on Sept. 14.