MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The death of 6-year-old is being investigated by police, and the boy’s stepfather is in custody.
Donald Rich faces charges of aggravated child abuse in the case.
Memphis Police responded to the 4200 block of Pine Hollow on Wednesday after receiving a call from the fire department asking for assistance. When they arrived, they found first responders helping the boy in the back of an ambulance.
Police said the boy had multiple injuries and was unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition where he later died.
Hospital staff later told investigators the boy had multiple injuries consistent with him being whipped by an extension cord. They also noted that the boy appeared to have been abused for quite some time. He had new injuries as well as older injuries that had already healed over.
According to police, the only adult in the apartment at the time was the boy’s step father, Donald Rich. He told investigators the boy suddenly began to throw up and then became unresponsive.
After being detained for questioning Rich added new details to his story saying he had whipped the child with an extension cord and belt.
This is an ongoing investigation.