Missouri mother, boyfriend charged in death of infant

FLORISSANT, Mo. (KTVI) -- A Florissant, Missouri, mother and her boyfriend were charged Thursday in connection with the death of the woman's 8-month-old son.

According to authorities, the boyfriend beat the woman's children for months, ultimately killing the baby boy. Police said the mother did not beat her children but failed to protect them.

Danesha Cannamore, 31, was charged with two counts of child endangerment. Slyvester Knighten, also 31, was charged with multiple counts of child abuse.

Prosecutors allege Knighten had been physically abusing Cannamore's 8-month-old son and her three daughters, ages 10, 6, and 3, for months at their home.

The abuse turned deadly Tuesday evening.

Police said Knighten dropped the baby boy from a great distance and also punched the child as he was in his crib.

Police received a call Wednesday around 11 a.m. after the baby was found unresponsive.

It's believed Knighten and Cannamore kept the abuse hidden.

“This (boy) endured some things that no human should have to do, especially someone who is 8 months old,” said Florissant Police Chief Timothy Fagan. “To see the things that were done to him is really difficult to deal with."

Fagan said Cannamore's three daughters were in safe custody through the state's Division of Family Services.

Knighten's bond was set at $1 million; Cannamore's bond was $500,000.