Mother of Whitman toddler was found guilty of domestic abuse days before child’s death

WHITMAN, Mass. — The death of a 2-year-old girl in Whitman is still under investigation, authorities said on Thursday.

Over the weekend, Lyric Farrell was found unresponsive in the home where she lived with her mother and siblings. On Tuesday, she was taken off life support.

The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Children and Families are investigating her death.

A source told Boston 25 News Lyric was found on a couch wrapped in a blanket with head trauma and bruises after a 911 call Saturday night.

Lyric’s father, Chris Farrell, lives in Dorchester. He says she was full of life and always smiling, adding that she loved coloring and playing with toys.

Chris Farrell told Boston 25 News his daughter had been in DCF custody due to her mother’s troubles with the law. She was recently returned to her mother’s care.

Just days before her child’s death, Lyric’s mother was found guilty of domestic assault charges related to a domestic assault case involving Chris Farrell. Court records show Lyric’s mother was charged with assaulting Christopher Farrell with a glass bottle and an aluminum baseball bat for an incident in Boston in September.

Lyric’s mother was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered to wear a GPS tracking device in mid-December. Other charges had been filed against her, but were ultimately dropped.

“She’s walking around out here, with a bracelet, a GPS monitor bracelet for assaulting me,” said Chris Farrell. “It’s red flags everywhere you look at her. I can’t get no help from nowhere.”

At the time of his child’s death, Chris Farrell was not living with Lyric’s mother and says he was not in the house when Lyric was found dead.

“She went back four weeks ago, to the mother who is supposed to be the best one to these people,” said Chris Farrell. I don’t get that, I don’t get that."

The State Medical Examiner has not yet released any findings on the cause and manner of the child’s death.

Chris says he’s still in shock over her death and he is desperate for some answers.

“I love my daughter, I love my daughter,” he said.

Chris Farrell says Lyric had seven siblings, many of whom lived with her.

“I’m looking for answers from DCF," Chris Farrell said. "They’re not returning any of my calls, they’re not picking up. I would just like to hear something from them."

A DCF spokesperson told Boston 25 News, “The Department of Children and Families continues to investigate this tragic situation in collaboration with law enforcement. All of the children in the home are currently in DCF custody.”

Lyric’s other siblings have been removed from the home and are currently in DCF custody.

Boston 25 News was unable to contact the mother.

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