Man Charged With Killing Special-Needs Child
Deputies say a 10-year old girl with cerebral palsy was killed by her mother’s boyfriend—a volunteer firefighter.
According to arrest warrants, 31-year old David “Tony” Tyre caused the girl’s death “by shaking the child and dropping the child on her head, and the death occurred under circumstances mainifesting an extreme indifference to human life”.
An incident report from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office states the abuse occurred on Sunday at the girl’s home in Boiling Springs while her mother was at work. 10-year old Meah Weidner, who could not speak and was confined to a wheelchair, was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Investigators say she died from brain injuries on Tuesday.
Investigators say Tyre told them, “I must have shaken her too hard.“ They say he also admitted to breaking her arm on June 22nd and lying to her mother and doctors about how it happened, telling them she had fallen out of bed. Tyre was arrested on Thursday and charged with homicide by child abuse and felony child abuse. As of Friday evening, he was still in the Spartanburg County Detention Center and had not had a bond hearing.
But Meah’s grandfather says the family believes Tyre did not intentionally hurt the girl.
“From what I understand, he was playing too rough with her,“ says Rev. Larry Monday, pastor of Whitney Freewill Baptist Church. Monday says Tyre was swinging Meah back and forth and “accidentally hit her head”.
“Tony was always really good with her children,“ says Monday. “I didn’t know him for long, but he seemed like a great guy. That’s why all of this is such a surprise to us.“
Tyre had served as a volunteer firefighter with Hilltop Fire Department in Spartanburg since 2002. Chief John Hall says he resigned earlier this week “citing personal reasons”. He says Tyre was a good firefighter and always could be counted on to respond to calls.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
I am not going to thank God for a man that hurts children there are good honest firefighters out there i thank God for because i realize how much danger their jobs can sometime put them in and they dont hurt children. I think people who hurt children and those who support them need to get a life
parker49 i think you need a drinking buddy or at least a life.As for a firefighter being a god no there not
but when they help you or save your house i bet you thank god for them.
I would like to know if Rev. Monday and Tyre are drinking buddies. For a grandfather to say that it was not intention and that the family believes this.Are they going to support this monster? He admitted to abusing this child. Come on people get real.
Wooopeee, so since he is a volunteer fireman he is some kinda GOD!? No mention that he is/was an employee of Ambu Star, and transported people to hospitals. Therefore, he MUST HAVE had knowledge of medical conditions. At least an EMT? So he PLAYED too rough with a child who had CP? And didn’t KNOW he was possibly harming her!!!??? I think NOT.
It is ashame of this little girl’s passing, but I am sick and tired of religious groups making light of the situation with this guy. Come on people and wake up and realize that there is a serious problem going on. This little girl couldn’t stand up for herself when Tony broke her arm or put bruises on her. As far as the justice system, I have no faith!
Honestly this man deserves the Death Penalty. he shouldnt make out of the jail alive…its not fair to kill a innocent child…the child didnt do anything wrong!
Why all the excuses for these darn child killers .First the Cherokee County thing where the 15 yr old was killed for no reason ,then the ex in Chesnee so called snapped and killed an eight yr old.Now this child who could not at all defend her self or even tell someone she was being abused.But he was a good firefighter lets not forget that ,well guess what who really cares a murdered a child and should be punished just like that other dog that killed the little eight year old.
I want to say I can not defend this man but I would like to Thank Chris Cato and the rest of the news people for making sure that everyone know he was a volunteer firemen! I have yet figured out what his hobby had to do with the poor little girls death. I feel for this family and hope that they are able to find some peace after all of this is over. If this man done this with the intent of hurting this child then he gets what is coming to him. Chris and others please keep in mind if the work place has nothing to do with the incident please leave it out our make sure you report where everyone works or volunteers!
Advertisement