Desaray Thompson
© Kalamazoo County Sheriff's OfficeDesaray was not breathing when she was found on Sunday.
A four-year-old "darling little girl" has died after her mum and boyfriend allegedly wrapped her up in duct tape every night for two-weeks.

Desaray Thompson was found not breathing at a home on Sunday, and officers' attempts to revive her using CPR were tragically unsuccessful.

The child's mother Kelly Ballinger, 33, and her boyfriend, Matthew Longenecker, 34, had restrained the little girl at night for a period of two weeks, detectives said.

They wrapped her up in blankets then duct tape before putting her to bed, Kalamazoo County District Court heard.

She could not move until she was unwrapped the next day, Detective Sheila Goodell told the hearing.

At times, the girl's face was allegedly covered as well, Kalamazoo News reports.

Ms Goodell said Desaray's body was found covered in bruises and lacerations.

Her great-grandmother, Virginia Davis from Portage, called Desaray a "darling little girl" in a tribute and said the family were devastated by her death.

She said Desaray was a happy girl who could dance and sing.

Ms Davis reportedly used to babysit her granddaughter but had not seen her since January, even though she had asked Ballinger to visit.

Kelly Ballinger and Matthew Longenecker were charged on Tuesday with murder and first-degree child abuse, charges which are punishable by up to life in prison.

The couple have both admitted to restraining the girl, according to reports.

Detective Goodell also revealed that text messages were found on their phones which backed up the evidence.

Two other children, believed to be eight and two months old, have been taken into protective custody by Child Protection Services.

Ballinger and Longenecker were arraigned and are due back in court on August 1 for prelimary examinations.