Former Chief M.E. Testifies Drowned Toddler Had Bruising On Skull Tissue

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The trial for a man accused of drowning 2-year-old Allie Croom continued Thursday with the testimony of the former Chief Medical Examiner.

Donald Reeser, 30, is accused of dunking Allie under the water at Lake Stanley Draper last summer, causing her death.

Former Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie Trant testified that Allie died from asphyxia due to drowning.  Dr. Trant also said he found 19 separate bruises to Allie's skull tissue during an autopsy.  He said the bruising was caused by blunt force blows that occurred some hours before the drowning.

Dr. Trant said following the autopsy, he returned to the lake where Allie drowned to see if anything there could have caused the abrasion.

On Wednesday prosecutors said Reeser's 6-year-old son Brady witnessed Reeser sticking the girl's head under the water. Brady testified that he saw his dad dunk Allie, but on cross-examination he said he never saw her go under the water.

Allie mother, Amber, testified Wednesday that she never saw Reeser dunk the child. She said the girl fell into the water for "eight to 10 seconds." She said she felt guilty about Allie's death because it happened while in her care.  

More:

• Man Charged With Murder in Toddler's Death
• Cases Question Reliability of Child Witnesses
• Prosecutors: Mother Could Face Charges in Toddler's Drowning
• Trial Underway For Man Accused Of Drowning 2-Year-Old