LANCASTER – Two-year-old Zanai Noel received forceful blows to her back and side, and she died shortly thereafter from multiple internal injuries, including five broken and displaced ribs, a collapsed lung, a shredded liver and internal bleeding, Dr. Louis Pena testified Wednesday.
The medical examiner’s testimony came at the preliminary court hearing for Matthew Worthen, the 24-year-old man accused of beating to death his girlfriend’s baby.
Worthen is charged with murder in connection with an incident that occurred Sept. 22, 2013 at his girlfriend’s Palmdale apartment, according to prosecutors.
Ayisha Noel testified that she left her daughter alone with Worthen for less than 15 minutes that night, while she went to the liquor store to purchase more Hennessy.
Worthen was coming out of her baby’s room when she returned from the store, Noel testified, and minutes later, Zanai was groaning and gasping for air.
The two then took Zanai to Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Noel testified.
“She was blue when she came in,” said the emergency room doctor, Romik Zadorian.
Zanai was pronounced dead after 45 minutes of CPR failed to revive her, according to Dr. Zadorian’s testimony.
Worthen’s private defense lawyer, Dakar Diourbel, argued that Zanai’s injuries could have been inflicted at day care.
Three days before her death, Zanai came home from day care with welt marks, according to her mother’s testimony.
Noel testified that she had confronted day care workers about her child’s injuries, and she was told that the person responsible would be fired. Asked why she did not report the incident to police, Noel said, “because I figured the person that did that would be handled.”
Verleana Huey, whose brother co-owns the day care, testified that she did not witness any physical abuse of Zanai while the child was at the day care.
However, Huey said she witnessed a troubling incident last summer, when Worthen dropped Zanai to day care.
“I heard the baby screaming and crying before I’d even opened the door,” Huey testified. She said Zanai wouldn’t stop crying, even after Worthen left.
“I said ‘Zanai, who hurt you?’ and she said ‘Matthew,’” Huey testified.
Worthen was also accused that summer of hurting Zanai’s mother. He was arrested for domestic violence in July 2013, and Noel had filed a restraining order against him, homicide detectives said previously.
Noel testified Wednesday that Worthen had moved out of her apartment about two months prior to Zanai’s death. But on September 22, she invited Worthen over because she was still trying to maintain a relationship with him, Noel testified.
“I was ashamed that I was still with Matthew,” Noel said, when asked why she did not tell her family the two were still together.
There is ample evidence of Zanai’s fatal injuries, but no proof that Worthen was the one that caused them, Diourbel said, in arguing a motion to dismiss the charges.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Christopher Estes denied the motion, and Worthen was held to answer on one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death. If convicted as charged, Worthen faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Worthen is due back in an Antelope Valley courtroom March 5 for a second arraignment.
Previous related stories:
Man pleads not guilty to killing girlfriend’s baby
Palmdale toddler beaten to death, mom’s boyfriend charged with murder
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jjbarreras says
I can only say that this story is so very very heart breaking and disturbing to say the least ! I feel so very sorry for the daddy that tried to protect his daughter…much love and support goes out to you. I dont know the mom but if she knew matthew had her baby previously, she should have callef the olice immediately! And matts mom and dad should think about the suffering that poor baby had to endure before they protect their son…sickening !
nadia a rhazaq says
a man has records of violence, he strungles you nearly to death yet you still want to maintain a relationship with him, the baby dady of that little girl had all the reasons in the world to leave her in the first place. i mean no judging but she’s just way too stupid
Morena says
My condolences to the father of this Beautiful Angel.this story brought tears to my eyes and dont understand how someone can hurt a innocent Child but God is good and they will pay for their sin.iam a single mother of a 2 yr old and scare to meet men cause of this type of stories,its a eye opener truely. R.I.P Zanai Beautiful Angel God has you in his arms now.
AMOTHERSLOVE says
THIS YOUNG LADY MURDERED HER OWN DAUGHTER SHE BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF HER THEN STARTED TO SO CALL DRINK SHE CALLED HER GUY FRIEND OVER TOLD HIMR SHE GONE RUN TO THE STORE TRY AND PLAY IT OFF LIKE THE CHILD WAS OK BEFORE SHE LEFT NO NO NO SISTA U COMMENTED THIS HERE AND THE GD LORD WILL MAKE U REAP WHAT U SOW WEATHER IT’S 5 10 OR 20 YEARS DOWN THE LINE YOU WILL PAY FOR KILLING YOUR DAUGHTER LIKE BD SMUT THOT ASS HOE PICK DICK OVA YOUR OWN CHILD THAT JUST BREAKS ME DOWN IM A MOTHER OF SIX AND RAISE MY WITH PROTECTION SAFETY AND LOVE YOUR A SAD ASS CASE FOR A MOMMY CAUSE U COULD NEVER BE A REAL ((MOTHER)) SMUT<<<<< THOT GOD WILL GET U LIKE U GOT THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE ANGEL R.I.P LITTLE BABY LOVE U COMING FROM A REAL MOTHER N TEARS :(
Raz says
How incredibly stupid of you to suggest such idiocy
TheTruth says
Your crazy! SMH
meme2 says
Omg I kno this dude. Cant believe it. If it was me lets juss say he wouldnt be ..
I am a mother to 2 angels ill be damn not to protect them lry alone let any man discipline mines bd or
Not .. [removed] him and her they both need yo rot …
Baby girl will get justice
Believe that.may she rest in paradise
GB says
A sad situation becomes worse as people with no knowledge of the circumstances rush to pass judgement and burn whomever at the stake. If a lot of you knew what I did about this case you might not be so quick to condemn. Once this case gets under way you all may be surprised to find that there is more evidence that it was the mother (who was known by many to be very violent) that caused the child’s injuries and very little evidence that points to Worthen.
tessie surratt says
….and why are we giving “a chance to explaine why HE BEAT HER?
wow says
I went to baby zanais funeral if you would have seen how distraught and sadden the mom was you’d change your opinion
Irena says
Then why would she have knowingly placed her child in danger? She already know the man was capable of violence, why risk it?
The mother will have to live with the guilt for the rest of her life sadly. I don’t envy her.
james sosa says
Zanai’s mother is a piece of CRAP and the animal that did this is going to pay once he hits the yard. How can any adult do this?
symphaniilove says
First off u dont even know this girl so don’t comment about her and you know nothing about her you don’t know where she came from what she’s been through you don’t know anything so keep your negative comments to yourself I have known this little girl since high school and she’s always been a good person I know for a fact that if she knew he would do something like this to her daughter she wouldnt have left her there with him. I believe the thought of him huting her daughter never crossed her mind that he would do this to her daughter although he was doing it to her maybe she might be naive but she is not a bad person. Shes really hurting & everyday asking hers how & y did this happen.
MyBABYMaMasABiRD says
[removed] You sound dumb as [removed]! just know this AYISHA , stay off the [removed] blogs trying to defend ya self, it won’t work [removed]! At the end of the day, YOU WANTED TO BE WITH THIS MAN SO BAD! So be it, till death due you part, you can take as much time as you want, at the end of the day [removed] THE TWO OF YOU KILLED MY CHILD ! YOUR BOTH GOING TO PAY! Your still trying to defend this man? lALRIGHT KEEP IT UP, AT THE END OF THE DAY YOUR GOING TO BE GOING TO JAIL AND ROT IN THERE WITH THAT [removed] CLOWN! Your a [removed] disgrace Ayisha! A [removed] EMBARRASSMENT TO REAL WOMEN IN THIS WORLD, u clearly not only SHOWED THE WORLD YOUR A HOE, but TRADED YOUR DAUGHTER FOR IT? For shame, U LET THIS [removed] DROP MY CHILD OFF? Lmao YOU KNOW MY BABY WAS VERY SMART & I had her speaking a lot sooner than expected, SHE TOLD YOU MATTHEW WAS HURTING HER AND YOU LET THAT ROCK [removed] YOUR A [removed] PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A WOMAN RATHER THAN ACCEPT THE FACT I TOLD YOU YOU WERE A SMUT TO YOUR FACE, and chose to be a single father YOU PUT MY DAUGHTER IN THE ARMS OF A [removed] WHO “allegedly” doesn’t beat his own two kids so u made it acceptable to best yours? Butch you think I’m stupid? UNFORTUNATELY U FORGOT TO CROSS YOUR “T’s” and DOT YOUR “i’s”
-Dad
symphaniilove says
Just because a man puts his hands on a woman doesnt mean he would hurt her kids. She didnt know he would do this…..she is not a mind reader!!
MyBabyMamasABird says
REALLY AYISHA? My [removed] THESE [removed] COURTS ARENT PAYING UOU ANYMIND WHILE YOUR SITTING HERE SURFING THE SITES , trying to make sense of how you and this man killed my child! YOUR TRULLY A [removed] EMBARRASSMENT RESPONDING TO THESE [removed], I sit back and watch, but [removed] for you to continue like this! It’s sickening enjoy it while u can, your going down Smut!
sikntired says
Sorry, that doesn’t mean jack.
DAD says
That bitch wasn’t distraught ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO ME SHOWIN UP TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE FIRST THING THIS [removed] SAYS IS “oh [removed], wel hi baby daddy, who called you?”
-_- gtfoh
AYISHA I WONT TELL YOU AGAIN [removed], responding to these ain’t going to help you, I WILL not stop UNTIL YOUR CONSPIRING ASS IS HOLDING THAT MUTHA [removed] HAND IN PRISON, I’ll even ask the warden if he can accommodate you and “WORTHLESSWorthen” with y’all own cell..Your going to Jail WITH HIM AYISHA! Period! You convinced SOME MAN to KILL MY DAUGHTER So you could runaway with him? [removed] HE WAS MEVER LEAVIN HIS BABY MAMA FOR YOU! So u dump him then get mad because he decides to go [removed] her and make you suck her juices off him? [removed] YOUR A CLOWN! Just know karma is a [removed]!
-DAD
Richard says
Matt, I don’t want to believe this was you that did it. Please tell me it wasn’t. I remember just a short time ago when you lived next door to me this was not the Matthew I knew. The Matt I knew was so polite, intelligent and always willing to help me. Ill pray for you Matt and I love you.
Jusmeluv says
I find it interesting that all these opinions have been expressed yet we have only heard one side of the story. No one knows what happed except Noel, Matthew and Zanai. After all, the mom was going to get MORE Hennessy. Which means she was drinking before she left. I does anyone know what frame of mind she was in that day. We are all considered “innocent until proven guilty.” So before you make all these conclusions, lets get ALL the facts first. How bout that?!?!
Dad says
So if HES SO INNOCENT HOW COME HE DIDNT FEEL THE NEED TO CALL ME AND EXPLAIN HIS SIDE?
Don’t worry….I’ll wait!
-DAD
So Sad says
I have been reading about this story since its beginning. The fact is little Zanai is gone. The “Lady that Gave Birth ” to her has to deal with her sarrow and guilt every day. And The “”Defendant”” has to close his eyes daily and see that precious little mama’s face while he was laying his coward hands on her. I do however have a concern with the story this lady says…. “she poured a drink but did not drink it” Sorry I do not buy that for a second, she is covering her own Keester…. Refer to point #1… She knows about her demons.
I hope the Defendant has to look over his shoulder, sleep with one eye open, and be all paranoid about what other inmates are talking about around him in Rec, Chow, and Clean Time…. There are always other guys that are crazier, and don’t give a hoot out there AND have children Zanai’s age….OR Grandkids her age……. I would hope that the Defendant save the state taxpayers money and plead guilty to nothing less than 2nd Degree Murder and Go DO YOUR TIME so we dont have to read about your silliness any longer……
R.I.P. ZANAI LITTLE ANGEL……..
On That Note….Oh Yes and to all the HATERS out there….People will have Opinions, its the way this SOCIETY IS unfortuneately….. If you can’t have a productive and sensible online conversation….. I suggest you start your OWN SITE where people can Bash others….And be Rewarded for it….BUT UNTIL THEN….. S.D. ** . U. Carry on…..
Irena says
The day care should loose their license. They are mandatory reporters and if they had known of any abuse, which sounds like they did, they should have reported it.
As for the mother, she should also be charged since she knew he was capable of violence. The restraining order proves that, unless she lied and then she should be charged with filing a false police report.
Society failed this poor child. The ones who should have looked out for her turned a blind eye.
symphaniilove says
Society fails us everyday…..wat is ur point?
I kno she didnt see this kind of thing happening…..that was her first & only child u dont think shes hurt.
deens says
There are two sides to every story. This man has other children and I personally have never seen any signs of abuse or maltreatment. In a short amount of time he wailed on her and had no bruising on his hands. As for the daycare they are trying to cover their own behinds. I highly doubt that it occurred there. Suspicious of mom though no mention that she had domestic violence against her. Reporters need to report all the information not just what makes him look guilty. I’m not saying he’s innocent or guilty things just don’t add up. Like why he took her to emergency if he did it and had never left the guilty flee. Sad story only God knows the conclusion.
Letlow says
Am I missing something? Why isn’t mom considered a suspect? She could have beaten the crap out of her baby and then invited the boyfriend over in order to pin the blame on him.
Sweetie says
agree with you Letlow. Her not telling (someone) makes her at least, culpable.