Amanda Brumfield - the estranged daughter of actor Billy Bob Thornton - will remain in jail until a judge hears from an expert witness in her murder case.
Billy Bob Thornton's daughter will remain in jail until a court hears from an expert witness.
Amanda Brumfield - who has been estranged from the actor for several years - must stay incarcerated until Dr. Jan Garavaglia can testify on evidence submitted during her pre-trial hearing for the first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child she was babysitting.
Judge Bob Wattles want the medic to expand on the six bruises and skull fracture found in the autopsy of a one-year-old girl who died while in Brumfield's care.
Brumfield, 29, was reportedly "shaking and crying" throughout yesterday's (13.07.09) hearing and refused to look at pictures of the tot's injuries as they were viewed in the Orange County courtroom.
When she was initially arrested, Brumfield reportedly told police the child died after sustaining a head injury following a fall from a playpen. It is alleged she did not call for help for two-and-a-half hours.
An autopsy showed the youngster had a fractured skull and a brain injury, prompting the death to be ruled a homicide.
A police spokesman said at the time: "It's not believable that a one year old can balance themselves on a railing. We do believe her head hit a hard object but you would either have to fall harder or hit something with more force than a 28-inch playpen fall."
After Brumfield's arrest, Thornton's publicist said: "Mr. Thornton is estranged from Amanda and has had no contact with her for quite some time.
"However, when informed about this situation, he commented that, 'Any time a baby's life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy and my heart goes out to the baby's family and loved ones.' "
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