Girl who starved to death had GR ties

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A woman arrested in Georgia for allegedly starving her daughter to death once lived in Grand Rapids.

Ebony Berry, 38, now faces murder and deprivation charges.

News reports from Georgia indicate police arrived at the home Saturday where the girl lived after a 911 call came in reporting that she was unresponsive. When police got on scene, the girl was already dead. They say she was severely malnourished and neglected.

The girl was 16. Police said the other children living in the home were fine.

Neighbors in that area said there were signs that something wasn't right at the house.

After a tip to Report It, 24 Hour News 8 learned Berry lived on the southeast side of Grand Rapids before moving away about seven years ago.

24 Hour News 8 learned Berry had issues with child abuse here in West Michigan. In a personal protection order filed against her back then, there were previous allegations of child abuse.

In a sworn petition to the court, the woman said Child Protective Services was repeatedly involved. The woman also described an incident where, she said, Berry injured a child when she slammed his head on a sink.

It's unclear what actions CPS took against Berry.

Berry's criminal history in Michigan was unremarkable. People listed as her family members told 24 Hour News 8 they had no idea who she was.