Aug
26
I just read this story in the San Jose Mercury News:
A 16-year-old boy is facing homicide charges after Merced police said a 21-month-old left in his care turned up dead this weekend.
Police took the teenager into custody after responding to a South Merced home in the 1300 block of West Third Street around 10:30 a.m., where they found the body of King Steven McCowan laying on a bed.
Merced Police Cmdr. Floyd Higdon said police aren’t releasing the name of the teen because he’s a minor.
Police say the teenager is also the victim’s cousin. The body of the toddler was found with wounds on his torso, back and legs — wounds that appeared to be inflicted by a belt.
The teen was booked into Merced County Juvenile Hall, where he remains on suspicion of homicide and felony child abuse causing great bodily injury or death to a child under 8 years old. Higdon said the teen was also wanted on a carjacking warrant.
The toddler and his 4-year-old brother had been left in the care of the teenager for five days by their mother, 26-year-old Laquisha Yvette McCowan, Higdon said.
McCowan had gone to the Bay Area on Wednesday, leaving the two children with the teenager, Higdon said. Although McCowan returned home briefly Saturday and checked on the children, Higdon said she then returned to the Bay Area. The mother returned home later on Sunday after being called by her family members.
Higdon said the teenager said he had “whupped” both the baby and 4-year-old brother with a belt Saturday night. Some of the wounds on the baby’s body were fresh, while other appeared to be days old, Higdon said. “It was pretty graphic belt injuries,” Higdon said.
Where on earth was this kids FATHER or sperm donor? Seriously folks, take responsibility for your kids, it doesn’t mean buying them a Wii or Xbox 360, parking them in front of the tv so you can hit the Bay Area to get your Groove On. The mother NEEDS TO BE CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED, for at least being FELONY STUPID.
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August 28th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I seriously hope they end up going after the mother on this..yeah, there should be consequences for the 16 year old also, but ultimately, the mom should be held accountable. I wonder if it will ever come out on why she went to the bay area , and for so long without providing care for her kids..