Stepfather, Mother Arrested After Death Of Boy, 7
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Police are awaiting autopsy results on a 7-year-old Detroit boy who weighed only 27 pounds at the time of his death and have charged his mother and stepfather with abusing him.
Sgt. Mike Woody says the boy was dead on arrival Thursday morning at a hospital after being taken there by his stepfather.
Woody says police arrested the 28-year-old after realizing the boy "had what appeared to be some bruising" consistent with child abuse.
Investigators searched the boy's home, and possibly where his injuries occurred, near the corner of Richton and 14th streets. The home is located in a west side neighborhood along Rosa Parks Boulevard, between Chicago Boulevard and the Davison Freeway.
The owner of the home, Allen Rimson, said his 27-year-old son was living there with the boy's mother and her three children. He told WWJ's Charlie Langton the boy was apparently ill for a few days, and having trouble keeping food down.
Police say the man told investigators that his stepson complained early Thursday morning of abdominal pain and began vomiting before losing consciousness.
Assist Police Chief, Steve Dolunt says Immanuel Foster was malnourished and had bruises all over his body that had been there for a while.
"When I see a kid, who is almost eight, and weighs 27 pounds, I've got a problem with that, so once they get a confession - fine. If they get a confession -- whatever he admits to is fine," said Dolunt. "But as a parent, grandparent, I'm sorry, I have a problem with that."
Police say they questioned and then arrested the boy's mother as well.
Authorities have removed children ages 2 and 3 from the home and placed them with Child Protective Services.
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