Aspiring ESPN reporter, 23, is accused of strangling and nearly killing a one-year-old child in her care – as police say, ‘he was as close to death as you can get’

A Georgia babysitter and aspiring ESPN reporter was charged with strangling and “nearly killing” a one-year-old child in her care.

Abby Chosewood, 23, was arrested last week after allegedly suffocating or strangling the baby in February, who police said was “as close to death as possible.”

Chosewood was taken into custody over the weekend and charged with a misdemeanor child assault and a felony aggravated assault.

She was transported and taken to the Hall County Jail where she spent the weekend and was released Monday after posting $27,900 bail.

“Police have charged a Gainesville babysitter with assault after a child was injured and nearly killed,” the Gainesville Police Department wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Chosewood was taken into custody this weekend and charged with a misdemeanor child assault and a felony aggravated assault

“Abby Elizabeth Chosewood, 23 of Gainesville, Georgia, has been charged with child abuse and aggravated assault,” the statement continued.

“In February 2023, Chosewood allegedly suffocated and/or strangled a one-year-old child, causing bodily harm.”

The toddler suffered petechiae and bruises on her body from a “strangulation-type” injury, Lieutenant Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department said in a Law&Crime podcast.

However, Holbrook said it’s not known if the child was suffocated or choked, only that the child was not given oxygen.

“This is a case where the child was probably as close to death as it gets,” Lieutenant Kevin Holbrook told Law&Crime.

“The child suffered numerous injuries, numerous broken bones and even a femur. A femur is one of the strongest bones we have in our body,” he added.

There were no “nanny cameras” in the house, meaning it’s unclear what actually happened while the child was in Chosewood’s care.

“We don’t know exactly what happened in that house and probably never will. And we just hope it hasn’t occurred to any other kids,” Holbrook said.

It took authorities six months to build a case against Chosewood and many questions still remain unanswered.

The investigation is ongoing.

She was transported and held at Hall County Jail where she spent the weekend and was released Monday after posting $27,900 bail.

Chosewood was previously arrested in Georgia for allegedly stealing another woman’s debit card and using it to make multiple online purchases for herself in April 2021

“It’s unthinkable and there’s nothing for us to say exactly why this happened. This is something we may never know — like when the kid is clearly too young to tell us the truth,” Holbrook told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV.

“But Chosewood clearly knows exactly what happened and hopefully it will go to court,” he added.

This isn’t Chosewood’s first run-in with the law.

She was previously arrested in Georgia for allegedly stealing a woman’s debit card in April 2021 and using it to make several online purchases for herself.

Chosewood was placed on probation for two years at the time.

Chosewood was an aspiring journalist who wanted to work as a sideline reporter for ESPN after graduating from Georgia Southern University, according to her website.

Holbrook said Chosewood didn’t seem surprised when she was arrested.

Chosewood was a family friend of the child, according to Holbrook.

He told Law&Crime that Chosewood was brought in for questioning, but said he cannot comment on what was revealed in the iterview.

“A lot of times in interviews you can talk to someone and you kind of feel the sympathy … this is one of those cases where I wouldn’t use that word,” Lieutenant Holbrook said.

“That’s something she’s going to have to answer for in court and she’s going to have her day in court.”