A Hempstead woman has been indicted on attempted murder and multiple assault charges after prosecutors say she violently attacked her 21-month-old daughter inside their apartment building in March.
Chantel Barnes, 28, was arraigned April 23, 2026, in Nassau County Court on a grand jury indictment charging her with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege the incident occurred on March 9 at approximately 4 p.m., when Barnes entered the hallway of her apartment building carrying her toddler while screaming and covered in blood. Authorities say she then began swinging the child and repeatedly slammed her into a concrete wall.
The child’s father returned home moments later and found the toddler injured on the hallway floor. With the help of another family member, he contacted police.
Barnes fled the scene on foot following the incident and was later located walking nearby, according to authorities. She was arrested April 23 by Nassau County Police Special Victims Squad detectives.
The toddler was transported to Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, where she was treated for a skull fracture, a fractured clavicle, and additional internal injuries. She was released from the hospital on March 20 and placed in her father’s care. Authorities said the child has since made a full recovery.
Barnes’ bail was set at $110,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond. A full stay-away order of protection was issued.
The charges against Barnes include multiple violent felonies. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison.
She is scheduled to return to court on May 19, 2026. The case is being prosecuted by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Bureau.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
