Neighbors Shocked, DA Skeptical In Quapaw Toddler's Death

Ottawa County investigators say they don't believe the story of a woman who was caring for a 17-month old who died at home.

Skye Reece is charged with first degree murder after she said her boyfriend's son fell from his bed.

02/29/2012 Related Story: Quapaw Woman Charged With Toddler's Death

Lanceton Hollenbeck lived with his father, a 4-month old sibling, and his father's girlfriend Skye Reece. Reece is in jail and charged with killing Lanceton.

It's a case that has shocked neighbors.

"It made me mad. I was ready to go beat someone real good because the baby deserved better than that," said neighbor Aletha Rodgers.

Neighbors say the couple moved into the home in mid-January and, while they never saw the kids outside, they say they never noticed anything unusual.

"I'd say a pretty typical mother. She was just bringing them back and forth, in and out of the house...like I said, I never really heard any fighting," Rodgers said.

Lanceton died February 12th, one day after being put on life support. Reece told investigators that he hit his head after falling off of his bed.

But the assistant district attorney says the evidence doesn't back up that claim. He says the bed wasn't very high off the ground and the floor was carpeted. Plus, doctor's report it looks like the child's head was crushed.

"It's a difficult situation to deal with," said Ben Loring, Assistant District Attorney for Ottawa County.

Loring says Lanceton's biological father was at work at the time and only Reece and the four month old were home.

"And I just look at my son, and I don't think how anything could be done to a little baby...so innocent," said Jayme Chuckluck, neighbor.

Chuckluck lives across the street. She was so heartbroken by Lanceton's death that she organized a softball tournament this weekend to help Lanceton's father and surviving family.

"I told my mom, I said 'I've got to do something, you know if it was my son I'd hope somebody would do it for me,'" she said.

The spots for the softball tournament are already taken but you can learn more about the fundraiser and other ways to help on Facebook, just search for Baby Lanceton Benefit.