TOWN OF SALINA -- A two-year-old girl has died after being assaulted Monday morning at Orchard Estates in the Town of Salina. Danielle Cashaw of Enders Drive died Thursday afternoon at Upstate University Hospital.
Police say Cashaw was hospitalized on New Years Eve after being assaulted by 21 year old Sharif Hamilton. Onondaga County Sheriff's charged Sharif Hamilton, of Salina, with first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child on Monday. He has been held at the Onondaga County Justice Center on $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond.
Vinni Loiodice and her husband live next door to the apartment where Hamilton and the girl lived. Loiodice says she had no idea a little girl was in danger just feet away from her.
"If I heard a scream I would have called 911. I never heard the baby scream, I never heard the mother scream," said Loiodice.
Lioodice and her husband moved in to Orchard Estates last month. She says the apartment next door had been so quiet, she thought it might be vacant. Once she heard a child crying but wasn't sure which apartment it was coming from. Loiodice says neither she or her two dogs heard a thing on New Year's Eve - but she can't stop thinking about what happened.
"When I heard she died, I just...I can't express it. I can't get it off my mind. Right on the other side of my wall," said Loiodice.
Loiodice also lost a close family friend in the Newtown shooting. She says the recent violence against children frightens her.
"It's such a sad feeling in our hearts...to think that a little two year old...it's just so horrible."
Sheriff's detectives have worked closely with the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office and will continue to assist them in furthering the investigation. The case has been turned over to District Attorney's Office who will determine the appropriate additional charges.
