News Summary
Angel Lunsford, a 22-year-old from Walker, has been sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no-contest to second-degree child abuse. This followed her infant daughter’s severe malnourishment and health complications stemming from abuse. The infant, who had serious injuries and was found in a lethargic state, is now in foster care and reportedly improving. Lunsford acknowledged shaking her daughter and delayed seeking medical help, highlighting grave concerns about child neglect.
Walker, Michigan – Angel Lunsford, a 22-year-old woman, was sentenced to one year in jail on June 25, 2025, after pleading no-contest to a charge of second-degree child abuse. The sentence follows troubling revelations regarding the severe malnourishment and health complications of her infant daughter.
The abuse case came to light when Lunsford’s daughter was admitted to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on November 23, 2024. Medical staff discovered that the baby was lethargic and had not been feeding properly. Upon examination, it was determined that the infant was suffering from serious injuries attributed to non-accidental head trauma, as well as subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages.
Initially, Lunsford faced both first-degree and second-degree child abuse charges in December. However, under a plea agreement, she ultimately had the first-degree charge dismissed in exchange for her plea to second-degree child abuse.
During an interview with authorities, Lunsford acknowledged that she had shaken her daughter multiple times, describing the child’s head movement as “going back and forth.” Investigators also uncovered disturbing photographs on Lunsford’s phone, depicting the baby appearing unresponsive after one of the shaking incidents. Alarmingly, court documents reveal that Lunsford delayed seeking medical help for her daughter for a full three days following the abuse.
Further investigations into the infant’s care revealed alarming patterns in her feeding regimen. It was reported that Lunsford provided her baby with nourishment only three times a day, with long gaps of 10 to 14 hours without food. This neglect contributed to the infant’s failure to gain weight, as she had only gained one pound since birth and had never seen a pediatrician.
Following the distressing incident, the infant has since been placed in foster care and is showing signs of improvement. Lunsford is anticipated to be released from jail in October 2025, having served 203 days of her sentence in jail.
This case highlights the severe consequences of child neglect and abuse, drawing attention to the vulnerabilities faced by infants in similar situations. It also raises important questions about child welfare and the responsibility parents have to ensure the health and well-being of their children.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Woman gets year in jail for malnourished 3-month-old
- Wikipedia: Child abuse
- WZZM13: Walker mom child abuse case sentencing
- Google Search: Child neglect
- MLive: Mom waited days after alleged abuse to seek care for malnourished baby
- Google Scholar: Child abuse and neglect
- WZZM13: Walker mom child abuse charge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child welfare
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
