Sitter Held in Attempted Murder of Child

Los Angeles police Friday arrested a baby-sitter on suspicion of attempted murder after paramedics found an 18-month-old Van Nuys girl bruised and unconscious.

Nova Marcia Thompson, 34, of Van Nuys was jailed without bail a day after paramedics were called to her home in the 14300 block of Vanowen Street when the child she was caring for stopped breathing, police said. Police did not release the child’s name.

Lt. Warren Knowles said the girl’s father had left her in Thompson’s care Wednesday and was going to return for her Thursday afternoon. But Thompson called the father Thursday morning and said the girl had stopped breathing. The father notified paramedics, who took the girl to Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.

Police were called because paramedics and doctors noticed bruises on the girl’s head and body and a burn mark on her leg, Knowles said.

Knowles said investigators have not determined exactly how the girl was injured. He said Thompson was arrested Thursday on suspicion of child abuse but was rearrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder when detectives received a doctor’s report that the girl remained in a coma on life-support equipment and was not expected to live.