Coroner Rules Maryland Toddler's Death Homicide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJZ) -- A coroner has ruled the death of a Maryland toddler, who was brought to Ohio by his mother, a homicide. This is just the latest twist in what's been a bizarre story.
Rick Ritter has more on what the autopsy revealed.
Preliminary results show 14-month-old Cameron Beckford died of blunt force trauma to his chest and abdomen. His mother faces several charges--murder is not one of them.
Hands cuffed and stone-faced, 24-year-old Dainesha Stevens said little in front of an Ohio judge after she was charged with endangering a child and tampering with evidence. This, after her one-year-old son was found dead in an Ohio creek.
It's a heart-wrenching discovery police are now calling a homicide.
"Just to hear the baby was missing is heartbreaking," one neighbor said.
On December 15, Stevens took a bus from Frederick to Columbus, Ohio with her kids after police say she argued with the children's father.
Just days after Christmas, the father reported the toddler missing to Frederick Police. Shortly after, they reached out to detectives in Ohio.
"They also received a complaint for the mother that the individual she left her six-year-old with, that they weren't giving the six-year-old back," said Lt. Clark Pennington, Frederick City Police.
Police were able to locate the six-year-old unharmed, but quickly discovered it was 14-month-old Cameron Beckford in danger.
Stevens allegedly lied to police, telling them she left the boy on a stranger's porch because she couldn't care for him anymore. This, before leading them to a creek, where the boy's body was found in a bag.
Neighbors who knew the toddler are left stunned.
"Regardless of a dad or a mom, I was a mom, so I can't imagine," one neighbor said.
On Cameron's body were obvious signs that he was beaten.
At this point, police aren't saying who hurt the toddler. They are holding a male acquaintance of Stevens on unrelated charges as they continue to investigate the boy's gruesome death.
The county prosecutor went on to say: "It's our goal to keep that man in custody pending further investigation by police."
Stevens is being held on $150,000 bond.
An online fund was made to help family pay for the toddler's funeral. If you're interested in donating, click here.
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