Cash Christopher Bell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Cullen took four month old Cash Bell to a hospital on February 28, 2013 Cash was flown to Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with non-accidental traumatic head injury. Doctors observed two skull fractures and subdural bleeding. Cash suffered from several seizures and he was intubated to assist his breathing. Cash died five days later on March 5, 2013 Cash died from blunt force trauma to the head. Cullen told police Cash was somewhat fussy when she laid Cash down for a nap around 7:45 a.m. She said she was in the bathroom when Christopher came home to get his checkbook. She stated Cash did not seem normal when he woke up from his nap. She said Cash didn’t lift his head much and wasn’t breathing correctly. Initially, Cullen said she did not know why Cash was not breathing properly and denied knowing about any incident that may have caused Cash’s injuries. She then indicted Cash may have hit his head on the door when she took him outside. She also said Cash fell from his swing. Later, Cullen admitted she lied about the two previous statements. She said she was carrying Cash down carpeted stairs when she fell, causing Cash to hit his head. She told police she didn’t think he was hurt very badly.

 

Two hours after Ashley left for work on February 28, Cullen shook Cash and slammed his head against an object resulting in two skull fractures and massive bleeding. His eyes pooled in blood after his vessels popped. As Cash stayed in Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, the doctors told Ashley and Christopher Bell that he was blind and likely deaf. They decided to take Cash off life support.

 

Police  arrested Cullen because she ignored Cash’s symptoms of injury for two hours, neglecting to call 911 and because she provided three separate stories. Cullen's arrest warrant indicates on the day the Cash was injured, he was placed in the care of Cullen at 7 a.m. when Cash’s father, Christopher Bell, left for work. Bell told police the baby was responsive and eating before Cullen arrived. Police said Cash was alone with Cullen for 15 minutes until Cash’s mother, Ashley Bell, came home. According to the report, Ashley and Cullen were with Cash for 30 minutes before Ashley left for work. Christopher then came home, unexpectedly, at 9:15 a.m. to retrieve a checkbook. He said he noticed the baby's breathing sounding strange, but he attributed it to the baby's sleeping position. Christopher then rolled Cash onto his back and said the baby seemed to be sleeping.Christopher said when he left the house, he saw Cullen holding Cash, but could not see if Cash was responsive. Cullen was sentenced to 70 years to life in prison.