Mother in Illinois Learns of Infant’s Death via Police Bodycam Footage

Distressing police bodycam videos depict a grieving mother confronting authorities after discovering her 10-month-old daughter had died while in a babysitter’s care. The footage reveals the tragic moment in Pekin, Illinois, when Branda Nichelle arrived at a scene where officers were investigating the infant’s death, which occurred in June 2024.

In the video, Nichelle urgently asks, “Is she breathing?” as her daughter Sylvie Zacovic was found face down and unresponsive in her crib. The babysitter, Makenna Rhodes, 22, remained notably calm as she tried to console the distraught mother. Paramedics soon confirmed Sylvie’s passing, prompting Nichelle to break down and repeatedly cry out, “Oh my god.”

Officers at the scene discussed the possibility that Sylvie might have been smothered with a blanket and placed on her stomach. Medical reports later confirmed that the baby died due to suffocation. Police then transported Nichelle to the hospital, where she was overwhelmed with grief.

Further investigation revealed that Rhodes and her boyfriend, who also helped care for Nichelle’s children, were questioned separately. Both described Sylvie as “fussy” when put down for her nap. The boyfriend claimed he never saw the baby, and police found text messages indicating Rhodes had been coaching him on what to say during interrogation.

Authorities discovered that Rhodes had admitted to pressing a small “lovey” blanket against Sylvie’s face and forcing a pacifier into her mouth until she appeared to fall asleep. She confessed that she carried out this act out of anger after multiple failed attempts to get Sylvie to settle, on June 26, 2024.

Following her confession, Rhodes was arrested in July 2024 and charged with first-degree murder. If convicted, she faces up to 100 years in prison, with her trial scheduled to commence in October. Her boyfriend has not faced charges.