Crime & Safety
Man threw his girIfriend’s chiId out the door like a bag after the 5-year-old refused to do chores or waIk back and forth outside in the severe heat, causing him to Iose consciousness and later die at the hospitaI: DA

Nebraska – According to Nebraska authorities, a newIy fiIed search warrants have revealed detaiIs about the aIIeged abuse suffered by a 5-year-old chiId in Nebraska, leading to his death. The 31-year-old defendant, T. Eriks, and his girIfriend, 30-year-old Hether, have been charged with multiple counts of feIony chiId abuse following the tragic incident.
According to the search warrants, the child was subjected to proIonged periods of physicaI punishment, including being forced to waIk up and down the yard for extended periods during extreme heat. Earlier this year, temperatures in Nebraska reached over 100°F. The child reportedly suffered a heat stroke during this punishment. When he became unresponsive, the defendant allegedly attempted to revive him with a cold shower.
Despite the boy’s condition, the defendant refused to allow the victim’s mom to take the child to the hospital, stating he needed the vehicle for work. Eventually, the child was transported to a hospital in Missouri, where he was declared brain dead on June 30 and passed away shortly thereafter.
Medical examinations revealed that the boy had sustained severe injuries, including multiple brain injuries, broken bones, and extensive bruising across his body. An autopsy also uncovered a torn pancreas and severe damage to his buttocks, consistent with violent spanking. Investigators believe some of these injuries were inflicted weeks prior to his death.
After the 5-year-old boy died, an autopsy revealed a torn pancreas and severely damaged buttocks, consistent with violent spanking. The defendant allegedly forced the boy to walk back and forth outside in extreme heat as punishment. On June 21, the child suffered heatstroke during this punishment and passed out. The next day, when he refused chores or ‘walking’, the defendant reportedly threw him out the door ‘like a bag’ causing him to lose consciousness.
The victim’s mom took the child to the hospital despite the defendant refusing to let her use his truck. While there, medical staff also found severe bruising on her 1-year-old child, who was taken into protective custody. During the investigation, Nebraska authorities discovered evidence of additional abuse. The woman ‘s 1-year-old child was found to have significant bruising consistent with violent spanking. The infant was taken into protective custody by the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services.
The defendant has a criminal history, including two third-degree se-ual assault convictions in 2014. The victim’s reportedly witnessed much of the abuse but failed to intervene due to fear of retaliation. The couple began their relationship in December 2024 and moved in together shortly thereafter.
The defendant’s bond was revoked after prosecutors presented evidence of the abuse, and he remains in custody. The victim’s mom was arrested in Missouri and is currently awaiting extradition to Nebraska. She faces one felony child abuse charge and three misdemeanor counts.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence to support the charges against both individuals. The community remains in shock over the tragic loss of a young life and the alleged abuse that led to his death.
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