text: A mother whose little girl was found beaten to death allegedly claimed that a spider bite led to her violent and fatal injuries. Taylor Lynn Fast, 21, told police in Festus, Missouri, that 17-month-old Layla was bruised and unresponsive because of the bite, officers said. Fast allegedly claimed she had been bitten a day before police were called on Sunday, and had not realized that her child was dead. Scroll down for video . Accused: Taylor Lynn Fast, 21, has been arrested after her daughter Layla was found beaten to death at home - for which she allegedly said a spider was responsible . Daughter: Layla, pictured above, had been dead for hours by the time paramedics arrived at her home in Festus, Missouri, on Sunday . According to the Fox2 local news station, Layla had severe injuries to her face and neck, and was bruised all over. Police compared her wounds to those of a car crash victim, and said she was victim to the worst child abuse they had ever seen. Paramedics who attempted to treat Layla at the scene said she had been dead for several hours. A three-year-old boy was also found at Fast's home with severe bruising and a broken leg. It is not clear whether he is Layla's brother. Home: A badly bruised boy who had a broken leg was also found at Fast's home . Fast was arrested at her home and is currently in jail. She has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Officers say they are also hunting for Fast's boyfriend, but have not named him. According to the KSDK news channel, neither Fast nor her boyfriend has a criminal past.
target: Taylor Lynn Fast, 21, told police her daughter Layla had been bitten .
  Police found her at home in Festus, Missouri, with horrifying injuries .
  Fast reportedly said Layla was bitten night before .
  Officers say she had not realized her child was dead .
  She has been arrested and charged with endangering a child .