Allentown Woman Charged In Death Of 5-Year-Old Son
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) – An Allentown woman has been charged with homicide in the death of her 5-year-old son in November of last year.
In addition to the homicide charge, 24-year-old Jessica Sharelle Adams is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly striking the child numerous times on various parts of the child's body and engaging in a continued course of conduct involving physical abuse.
The incident began when police responded to an apartment on N. 12th Street in Allentown on November 29th, 2012 for the report of a five-year-old boy who was unconscious and not breathing.
The victim was initially taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown and was then transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital because he had a "severe brain bleed."
Medical personnel determined that the boy had several other injuries and had bruising to his head, arms and stomach. The victim eventually underwent surgery.
In the early morning hours of November 30th, 2012, the five-year-old boy was pronounced dead.
An autopsy performed that day determined that the cause of death was "multiple blunt force injuries." The Lehigh County Coroner's Office ruled the death a homicide.
Police interviewed Adams and her boyfriend and determined that the child had been struck repeatedly; but, only by Adams.
Adams was scheduled for an arraignment Tuesday evening in Lehigh County Central Booking.
