‘She was always happy’: Father says toddler killed while in care of babysitter

BRANDENBURG, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - A father is mourning the loss of his young daughter after she allegedly died in the care of a babysitter earlier this month.

Demond Banks said the laughter of his 18-month-old daughter Malayah could light up the room in an instant.

“I could turn around, look back, and then my daughter would be like ‘Daddy!’” he said. “You know, she run up and give me a hug, always happy.”

However, that light left Banks after Malayah and her brother were in the care of a babysitter on Jan. 7.

Around 2 p.m. that day, the babysitter called Malayah’s mother, claiming the child was not breathing properly.

After the call with the mother, the babysitter called 911 and told authorities Malayah was not breathing at all.

“That’s what you’re here for. To protect her, and my son too, but it was different,” he said. “You know, that’s my daughter.”

Two officers with the Elizabethtown Police Department took Malayah to Baptist Health Hardin. She was then flown to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville.

Doctors said Malayah suffered several severe injuries with one pediatrician saying her skull fractures were the worst she’d ever seen.

That thought left her father speechless.

“It’s not a good feeling at all,” Banks said. “I can’t, I can’t describe that.”

Malayah died two days later.

Police said 20-year-old Terrance Corbin was arrested following Malayah’s death and charged with murder.

The last line of his complaint reads, “Terrance wantonly and intentionally acted in a manner that resulted in the death of [Malayah] MB.”

In the days since she passed, Demond has found comfort in community. Little Dave’s Roadhouse where he works held a fundraiser for the family on Sunday.

“It was like the brightest day of the week. It was so bright,” Banks said. “And all I could think about was how that’s her watching people come support her family in some type of way.”

The father now hopes the light of his daughter’s life never fades.

“I don’t want people to forget her either, because what happened to her wasn’t fair,” Banks said. “So I want people to know, and see her face and know her.”

Banks said, above all, he wants everyone to know Malayah was happy and so loved.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Malayah’s godmother to help cover funeral costs.

Corbin is scheduled to be in court for his preliminary hearing on Friday.

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