New Charges, Possibly Felony Murder, Expected After Tot Damian Sutton's Death
DETROIT (WWJ) The death of 2-year-old Damian Sutton is now being investigated as a possible case of felony murder.
Bond was revoked Tuesday in Romeo District Court for Ronald Dimombro, 26, who allegedly beat the child to death while babysitting for the child's mother, who was Dimombro's girlfriend.
Dimombro, of Washington Township, is accused of violently shaking the small boy with big blue eyes and throwing him to the floor. He said virtually nothing during the hearing.
Child abuse charges were dropped in anticipation of new, stronger charges, which will be determined by an autopsy Wednesday, prosecutors said. In the interim, Dimombro remains in Macomb County Jail.
"If it comes back that the child abuse was the cause of his death, we will up it to felony murder immediately," said Macomb County Prosecuting attorney Eric Smith.
Smith is personally handling the case, which marks the first time he's personally handled a case since the infamous trial for Steven Grant, convicted of killing his wife, and dismantling her body in his father's machine shop and scattering her body parts across a local park.
Smith said this new case hits home for him as a father of small children.
"In this case, when you're dealing with the murder of a 2-year-old, I want to make sure my fingerprints are all over it," Smith said.
Defense attorney Randy Rodnick had little to say about the developments of the case or the state of his client.
"We're going to wait to see if the charges are amended and go from there," Rodnick said.
A new arraignment was set for Sept. 10.
In the meantime, a fundraiser will be held 4-9 p.m. Tuesday at Younger's Irish Tavern, 120 S. Main Street in Romeo. Call 586-752-4400 for more information.
Initially planned as a way to pay Damian's medical bills, the proceeds will now be used to pay for his funeral, Smith said.
