Skip to Content

Caregiver charged with homicide in death of infant

<i>WDJT via CNN Newsource</i><br/>Andi M. Praeger
WDJT via CNN Newsource
Andi M. Praeger

By WDJT News Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    RACINE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — A news release issued by the Racine Police Dept. on Friday, July 19 confirms that Andi Praeger served as a caregiver in the home of a deceased child. Praeger now faces homicide charges in the death.

The report says that the initial call to the Racine Fire Dept. was regarding an unresponsive infant, leading responders to transfer the child to a hospital. The child was then airlifted to Milwaukee due the severity of the injuries, which ultimately claimed his life.

Police ask anyone with information to contact them at (262) 635-7756. Anonymous information is also accepted by calling Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330 or by using the P3 Tips online service.

A Racine woman has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of an 11-month-old infant. The charges originated with a Thursday, July 11 call for a report of child abuse that officers responded to, during which the child was being treated for multiple injuries.

Andi M. Praeger, 25, is accused of recklessly causing the death of the baby, who died at a hospital on Wednesday, July 17.

According to the criminal complaint, the infant was initially treated for severe injuries, including a spinal contusion, bleeding on the brain and bleeding behind his eyelid at Ascension Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

Detectives stated that Praeger was the primary caregiver for the child on the day of the incident, July 11, although she was not the child’s parent.

During an interview, Praeger reportedly told investigators she did not intentionally harm the infant. Detectives say that Praeger initially claimed the infant might have hit his head accidentally. She later demonstrated how she put the baby down, allegedly showing more force than she initially described.

Praeger is quoted as saying, “Maybe he bonked his head a little too hard and I tried putting him down, and it was not intentional.”

She faces a Class B felony, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 60 years.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content