http://www.nydailynews.com/front/sto...p-129306c.html
Crushed toddler dies
Tumbling partygoer says she's 'very sorry'
By RALPH R. ORTEGA
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A toddler lost her fight for life after a heavyset neighbor fell backward on top of the child during a Christmas party in Washington Heights.
"I'm very sorry about what happened," said Novella Williams, who crushed the 21-month-old girl in the accident, according to cops.
India (Nini) Bryan died at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center on Sunday night after suffering internal bleeding and brain trauma.
The dancing tyke had been the life of a tenants association party inside a vacant apartment at her W. 160th St. building the night before.
The festivities were winding down with a slow song by R. Kelly when Nini had fallen behind Williams.
"When I bent down to pick up the baby, I fell," said Williams, 46, who lives across from the child's fifth-floor apartment.
Someone yelled, "Watch out!" as her 190-pound, 5-foot-6 frame tumbled back. "Oh my God!" Williams recalled crying out. She disputed that she landed on the girl, and was unsure how the child was hurt.
"I have seven grandchildren of my own. I would never hurt anyone's child. I love kids," said Williams, a data entry clerk.
The child's mom, Laquisha Bryan, 19, had prayed for a miracle at her daughter's bedside in the intensive care unit. A medical examiner's autopsy is scheduled for today.
Williams, who wasn't facing charges, mourned the loss.
"I'm crying. I'm hurting," she said. "I don't know what to do."
Crushed toddler dies
Tumbling partygoer says she's 'very sorry'
By RALPH R. ORTEGA
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A toddler lost her fight for life after a heavyset neighbor fell backward on top of the child during a Christmas party in Washington Heights.
"I'm very sorry about what happened," said Novella Williams, who crushed the 21-month-old girl in the accident, according to cops.
India (Nini) Bryan died at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center on Sunday night after suffering internal bleeding and brain trauma.
The dancing tyke had been the life of a tenants association party inside a vacant apartment at her W. 160th St. building the night before.
The festivities were winding down with a slow song by R. Kelly when Nini had fallen behind Williams.
"When I bent down to pick up the baby, I fell," said Williams, 46, who lives across from the child's fifth-floor apartment.
Someone yelled, "Watch out!" as her 190-pound, 5-foot-6 frame tumbled back. "Oh my God!" Williams recalled crying out. She disputed that she landed on the girl, and was unsure how the child was hurt.
"I have seven grandchildren of my own. I would never hurt anyone's child. I love kids," said Williams, a data entry clerk.
The child's mom, Laquisha Bryan, 19, had prayed for a miracle at her daughter's bedside in the intensive care unit. A medical examiner's autopsy is scheduled for today.
Williams, who wasn't facing charges, mourned the loss.
"I'm crying. I'm hurting," she said. "I don't know what to do."
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