MEMPHIS, Tenn. — What went on behind closed doors at a Cordova Home on Beaver Trail Drive may provide clues in the death of 6-year-old Destine King.
The little girl was found on the floor unresponsive by police two days before Christmas. They had been called about a possible case of child abuse.
“Oh that is horrible. That is just so sad,” said Jessica O’Brien, who visits the neighborhood and has seen the kids playing.
“I have seen them up and down the sidewalk a few times. They were young kids,” she said.
Like many who live here, she is shocked to hear that a 14-year-old was allegedly the abuser.
Police said Destine, a 7-year-old little boy and a 9-year-old girl, all foster children, had been left in the care of the 14-year-old boy while the foster mother of the three young kids was at work.
Police found Destine with a swollen and bruised face and said she had been assaulted by the 14-year-old. She died Sunday at the hospital.
Sources told News Channel 3 she had been beaten and was having multiple strokes before she died.
Police said the other children were also assaulted but were treated at the hospital and released.
The 14-year-old had a preliminary hearing last week and remains in juvenile custody 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.
So far no adults have been charged.
Police have identified a woman who made the call about the child abuse. We called her today, but she hung up on us.
A big question is why the 14-year-old was left to care for three young kids.
“You trust people but, you can’t. Man!” O’Brien said.
Police said because they cannot determine how the little girl died, this case is not being ruled a homicide at this time, so the 14-year-old is not charged with homicide.
The Department of Children Services said the two other kids in this case have been placed in another foster home.
DCS said it is investigating this case, including a report WREG received that a DCS worker first noticed injuries on the 6-year-old and advised someone to take her to the doctor but reportedly did not call police.
DCS’ website says it provides training and preapproval for all foster parents before placing children with them.