News

Actions

Mother of 8-month-old allegedly killed by father has history of child abuse

Posted at 5:48 PM, Apr 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-26 17:48:23-04

The body of an 8-month-old baby girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed by her own father has been turned over to a funeral home and control of her mother. 

But Inkster Police have said that mother, Zuleika Moreno, did not have legal custody.  The state offender tracking website shows Moreno is on probation for 3rd Degree Child abuse until 2021. 

The baby's grandmother, Aisha Saltmarshall, says the mother lost custody of 6 of her kids and manipulated her son James Saltmarshall, who is charged with 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Child Abuse. 

The mother is 29 and James is 22 and has no criminal history. 

He called 911 from an Inkster motel room last week. He's changed his story to police about what happened. 

The baby, Janiyah Saltmarshall, had head injuries and trauma consistent with a sexual assault. The Wayne County Medical Examiner says even though the baby's remains have been released, the manner and cause of death are pending. 

The office also says release to the mother is consistent with state statute even though she did not have custody.  Moreno has not been charged in the death.

The funeral home would not comment. 

Aisha wants her son to tell the truth about everything.  And she blames the system for failing her, and her grand baby Janiyah. 

The baby was removed from Aisha last Monday.  Aisha says she's called Child Protective Services to try to get an explanation. 

CPS won't comment to the media on cases because of privacy issues.