Baby sitter charged with toddler's murder, pleads not guilty

AKRON, Ohio - The baby sitter of a 23-month-old girl who died last week has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

Paramedics were called to a home in Green just after midnight last Tuesday for a report of a child unresponsive. The toddler, Aaliyah Ali, died Thursday morning at Akron Children’s Hospital from critical injuries.

The baby sitter, 21-year-old Tiffani Calise, was already facing child endangering charges before the child’s death. The Summit County Sheriff's Department said after reviewing medical records and conducting interviews, Calise has since been charged with murder.

On Wednesday, Calise was arraigned on the murder charge in Barberton Municipal Court. Her attorney entered a not guility plea on her behalf. The judge continued her $500,000 bond.

Calise is set to be arraigned in Summit County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 3.

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, Calise told deputies she found the child limp in the bath tub. But authorities later found the child’s injuries were not consistent with that story.

Calise’s 2-year-old daughter is now in the custody of family members.