Man Charged with Criminal Homicide for Monday's Death of 22-Month-Old Girl

Violent Crimes detectives this afternoon arrested Keith Swanson, 25, on a criminal homicide warrant for Monday's death of a 22-month-old girl for whom Swanson's girlfriend (the child's aunt) was the legal guardian.

Myrikle Belin was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by ambulance from her Riverside Drive home after Swanson called 911 at 8:24 a.m. Monday and reported that she was unresponsive. She died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Youth Services detectives observed numerous bruises to Myrikle's face, head and chest. An autopsy examination conducted Tuesday showed internal scalp lacerations, hemorrhaging and a swollen brain. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.

The aunt told detectives that she left home at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday to attend a college class. She said Myrikle was awake and talking prior to her leaving the residence.

A judicial commissioner set Swanson's bond at $250,000.

Detective Chris Beery from the Youth Services Division is leading this investigation.