A heartbreaking story unfolded in South Carolina, leaving a mother devastated and searching for answers. Ashley Caris, overcome with grief, broke down in court as she faced her boyfriend, Tyler David Ternberg, who stands accused of causing the death of her 4-year-old daughter, Addison Carr.
“Why would you do something like this to her?” she sobbed, her pain echoing through the courtroom. “You didn’t have to hurt my baby. She was my entire world. … I hate you, Tyler. I hate you so much.”
Tyler Ternberg, 28, has been charged with homicide by child abuse following the tragic death of Addison, a little girl with special needs. According to her mother, Addison relied on a feeding tube and had limited mobility due to complications from a lack of oxygen at birth. Authorities say her death, which occurred the day after Christmas, was caused by “non-accidental” blunt force trauma. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the injuries were severe and ruled her death a homicide.
Addison’s father, Stanley Carr, shared his anguish after Ternberg’s bond hearing. “I’m just sad and mad at the same time,” he said. “I don’t know how somebody could do this to somebody like Addie.”
Police allege that Ternberg, who was dating Ashley Caris, was caring for Addison at their home in Greenville when the fatal injuries occurred. While the details of how the injuries were inflicted remain unclear, the authorities described them as deliberate acts of violence.
“She was beaten and shaken until she lost her life,” reads the description on a GoFundMe page set up by family and friends to help with funeral costs and other expenses. The fundraiser highlights Addison’s life as one full of light and joy, despite the challenges she faced.
“She had several health issues from the day she was born,” the page explains, “but she was a light and a joy to so many people.”
Stanley Carr says he will always cherish the happiness his daughter brought into their lives. “My biggest thing is just remembering that smile from her all the time,” he shared. “She was just a sweetheart.”
As the family mourns, the community rallies around them, hoping to provide some comfort in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy.