A Michigan couple already facing child abuse charges for their treatment of a 13-month-old baby now expects to be arraigned on Monday for the murder of that child’s twin, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Ecorse police responded to a report of child abuse on July 28 and found Zyaire Reed and his brother Zion seriously injured. Zion was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Lisa Marie Reed, 34, was arrested and charged with first degree child abuse, while her boyfriend, later identified as James E. Gibson Jr. fled. Gibson was later caught at a relative’s home and also charged with first degree child abuse, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
A police spokesman said at the time it was “worst” case of child abuse he’d ever seen.
“There was some trauma to the child’s face and head area, ears, stuff like that,” Inspector Timothy Sassak told WXYZ. “You have one child that is deceased, and one child obviously being abused and having those injuries.”
“This is the worst,” Sissak said. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Zion underwent surgery at Children’s Hospital to repair broken bones and other injuries.
“The picture is being over shadowed with emphasis on a mother that probably didn’t know how to respond due to her mental and emotional abilities – in such a an overwhelmingly emotional situation,” her sister, Jennifer Reed, said.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Friday that Gibson will be charged with first degree murder and Reed will be charged with second degree murder, the Free Press reported.
“The evidence in this case will show that Zyaire Reed suffered abuse for almost half of his very young life,” Worthy said in a news release. “He was 13-months-old when he died. The alleged facts of this case left seasoned prosecutors shaking their heads and vowing to seek justice for him.”
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[Featured image: Zyaire Reed/Facebook]
