Last Updated: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, 5:50 p.m.

A caretaker has been charged with aggravated child abuse, among other charges, after police say she shook a toddler so violently that the girl needed emergency brain surgery.

  • Baby underwent emergency brain surgery
  • Affidavit: Doctor said baby's injuries consistent with shaking
  • Ameenah Taggart charged with child abuse, child neglect, battery
  • Child in critical condition, has not been identified

On Wednesday, Ameenah Taggart, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, neglect and child abuse.

Orlando Police say Taggart, of Philadelphia, was caring for a one-year-old baby girl Monday. The child was later admitted to Arnold Palmer's Children Hospital and treated for a brain bleed and bleeding in her eye.

Taggart was accused of shaking the child. 

According to the arrest affidavit, Dr. Greg Olavarria said he observed hemorrhaging inside the brain from a broken blood vessel and noticed bleeding behind the girl's eye.

"Olavarria advised these types of injuries is consistent with a rapid back and forth motion to the head. (The child's) condition is still critical at this time based on the injuries she received," the affidavit states.

Experts at Arnold Palmer Hospital explained it may have just taken seconds to hurt the baby irreparably.

"It could be for five seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds," said Dr. Marius Kesler, Arnold Palmer's Child Protection Team leader. "It doesn't take very long to cause a brain injury, but it's got to be very violent. The baby's head will be shaking all over." 

Kessler says unfortunately he sees one or two cases like this every month in Orange and Osceola counties.

Taggart has been charged with aggravated battery, neglect and child abuse.

No bond amount was given to the charges listed.