12-year-old girl attacked for kissing boy

A 12-year-old girl was beaten into a coma by a group of girls and women after she kissed the boyfriend of another girl for a dare, police said today.

Three women and two teenage girls have been charged with attacking Nicole Townes, who remained in a coma tonight, more than a week after the attack at a party in Baltimore on February 28.

“I have seen people beaten to death, but not a child and not for no apparent reason,” Detective Donny Moses said. ”This is a hideous story.”

The attack happened after an unidentified boy, also 12, was dared to kiss Nicole. After the kiss, his 14-year-old girlfriend attacked Nicole, and others joined in, beating the girl for at least 30 minutes.

Monique Baldwin, 36, and Erin Baldwin, 19, were charged with attempted murder and assault, said Detective Moses, who said he did not know the relationship between the two. Kenya Keene, 25, was charged with assault and conspiracy to commit child abuse.

Two unidentified teenagers, aged 13 and 14, also were arrested, but Moses said he did not know the specific charges against them.

The adults were also accused of giving false statements about what happened, telling authorities Townes fell and hit her head on a wall.