A teenage boy is behind bars after he caused the death of a 5-year-old boy, according to police in Arizona.
16-year-old Justin Hoskins, was left to babysit three young children.
When two of the kids got into a fight, Hoskins snapped and lost control. He beat the 5-year-old boy, causing severe brain injuries.
Police are looking into whether it was too much for the teenager to handle three young children while their mother was at work.
Phoenix Police said that Hoskins was left to care for the children of his father’s live-in girlfriend. The kids are 5, 3, and 4 months old.
5-year-old Ian Blair reportedly got into a food fight with his 3-years-old sister during lunch. Hoskins ordered him to stand in the corner as a punishment, but Blair refused to stay in the corner.
Hoskins snapped and allegedly pushed the boy in the chest, causing him to lose balance and hit his head on the floor.
After the boy fell and became unconscious, Hoskins placed the child in his bed and did not call for help.
When the victim’s mother returned home from work she thought her son was napping. However, a few hours later when she went to check on her son, she found him covered in vomit.
Blair was rushed to a hospital where he was found to be suffering from extreme bruising to the right side of the brain, swelling of the eyes and face, and other bruises on his body. Doctors were unable to save the little boy.
The teenager was originally charged with child abuse, but after Blair died, he may face murder charges.
(via Your Jewish News)
