Lizzie Kaboski

CROWN POINT — A mother who brought her toddler to the hospital for what she alleged were stomach problems now faces child neglect charges after doctors discovered the child's injuries were life-threatening.

Lashaunda Castleberry, 35, of Gary, was charged Tuesday with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, Lake Criminal Court records show, for injuries that will allegedly leave the child with lasting brain damage.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded to a report of a 21-month-old child with critical injuries Sunday at Methodist Hospital Northlake in Gary. The child was brought in by Castleberry, who claimed he had fallen off a bed two days before.

Castleberry said the child cried for "a little bit" right after the fall, but had all

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