Boy's Death In 9-Story Fall Is Ruled A Suicide
DETROIT (WWJ) - Wayne County officials have ruled the death of a 9-year-old boy who fell nine stories a suicide.
The boy jumped from an apartment building window, Wednesday evening, on Grand River just West of the Lodge in Detroit.
The child's cousin told the Detroit Free Press that Jerod Barnett died after he was caught stealing water balloons from a store. The boy's teenage sister, who was watching him at the time, reportedly said she planned to spank him.
A candlelight vigil outside the Young Manor complex was planned for 9 p.m. Friday.
The boy's funeral is set for Tuesday.
Police said Jerod was the second child under the age of 10 to take his own life in Detroit in recent months. In May, a 7-year-old was found hanging by a belt from his bunk bed after he had complained he was bullied at school.
