'Wrestling moves’ kill toddler, police say; mother, boyfriend charged

A Missouri couple is facing charges after a 2-year-old died after her mother’s boyfriend performed what he called “wrestling moves” on the little girl.

Police and EMTs responded to a call last week that a child was having seizures. She was taken to a Jefferson County hospital where she later died, KTVI reported.

Police said that the unnamed girl had obvious signs of trauma when they responded to the home.

Police eventually arrested the girl's mother, Cheyenne Cook, 19, and her boyfriend, Richard Gamache Jr., 24, accusing them of torturing the toddler, KTVI reported.

Police said that Gamache used what they called "wrestling moves," including a "Batista Bomb," on the 2-year-old, KTVI reported.

Police told the television station they also found evidence that the couple tried to hide signs of abuse.

Police said that Cook knew about the abuse but did not intervene or get medical help for her daughter, KTVI reported.

Gamache was charged with abuse of neglect of a child and was granted a $500,000 cash-only bail, St. Louis Post Dispatch reported. Cook was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and has a $2,500 cash-only bail.

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