A 23-year-old man in Ohio has been accused of murdering his girlfriend's one-year-old son, Kareem Keita. On May 5, the child was discovered unconscious at home. A Cincinnati hospital eventually declared the child dead. Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powers confirmed the details in a recent statement.
Edward Murray, 23, was arrested and subsequently indicted on multiple charges, including murder. According to the statement, the alleged incident took place on May 1, when Murray took Kareem inside their home after playing outside. Murray claimed the child was tired and skipped dinner before being put "directly to bed."
Kareem's injuries were severe and extensive. An investigation revealed that he suffered cardiac arrest, resulting in brain damage, a fractured rib, a lacerated liver, bleeding eye tissue, and brain swelling. Doctors at the Cincinnati hospital stated that such injuries "could only have occurred from violent impacts against objects or from delivered blows." The official verdict in the child's death was homicide.
Murray, who had been dating Kareem's mother, Aminata Keita, for about three months, spent "several minutes" in the child's bedroom before leaving him to sleep. The following morning, when the boy was found unresponsive, Murray could not provide an alternative explanation for the severe injuries.
In the days following the incident, both Murray and Aminata Keita allegedly smoked marijuana and did not check on the child for the rest of the night. The prosecutor’s statement highlighted the concerning nature of the case, with Powers expressing her shock and disbelief at the level of violence inflicted on the young child.
Murray is charged with two charges of murder, one act of assault, and one case of endangering the welfare of a child, according to online court records. He is currently being held on $1 million in bail. It remains unclear if Murray has entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
The statement issued by the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney emphasized the brutal nature of the crime and the difficulty of comprehending such an act of violence against an innocent child.
This case has drawn significant media attention, with multiple outlets, including People, WLWT, WCPO, and the Cincinnati Enquirer, reporting on the horrific incident. The focus remains on the investigation and the upcoming legal proceedings against Edward Murray, who is being held under suspicion for a crime that has completely shocked the surrounding area.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary)
