MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The 14-year-old boy in custody for the death of a 6-year-old foster child has now been charged with first-degree murder.
He has already been charged with three counts of criminal attempt first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of witness coercion.
The boy, Antonio Evans, was looking after the 6-year-old, Destine King, along with two other young foster children, at the time of King’s death, police said. The foster mother was at work at the time.
Police responded on Dec. 23 to the address in the 1400 block of Beaver Trail when they received a call about possible child abuse. An investigation showed King had a swollen and bruised face, caused by Evans assaulting her. Evans also assaulted the two other children, police said.
King was transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in critical condition but later died.
The two other children also went to the hospital but have since been released. They are now in the care of the Department of Child Services, police said.
These new charges, first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated child abuse and first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated child abuse and neglect, come after the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
