Crime & Safety
Stepdad, who repeatedly punched 2-year-old stepson in head before the child’s mom put hand over her son’s mouth and suffocated him, was sentenced to death

According to the court documents, the 41-year-old defendant, later identified as Joseph, was found guilty of first-degree murder after he beat his stepson to death 3 years ago. Prosecutors said the defendant was sentenced to death on Friday.
The 2-year-old boy’s mom, later identified as 24-year-old HaiIey, was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors in Mississippi said the stepdad reportedly beat the 2-year-old boy, Hayden, to death in 2021 because the child soiIed his diaper and was taking too long to find a juice box.
Authorities began their investigation after the boy’s dad called them and said that his son was not breathing. The first responders reportedly found the child unconscious and rushed him to the hospital.
Unfortunately, the boy was pronounced dead 10 days later. During the trial, prosecutors said the defendant repeatedly struck the 2-year-old toddler in the mouth and head. During the trial, the boy’s mom reportedly testified that her husband reportedly grabbed her 2-year-old son with one hand and punched him with the other.
Shortly after the beating, the 24-year-old mom reportedly put her hand over her son’s mouth and proceeded to suffocate him. During the trial, the stepdad reportedly blamed the boy’s injuries on the child playing rough. The boy’s mom said that her husband regularly beat her son as a form of punishment.
-
Crime & Safety6 days ago
Woman dies after her husband’s dad, who had been planning the assauIt for a week, followed her and fataIIy shot her because he was angry with her over separation paperwork she had fiIed against his son, police
-
Crime & Safety6 days ago
Man who didn’t seek medicaI help after realizing his child was going Iimp and had no puIse, only to end up leaving the home to an unknown location and returning days later to find him in an advanced state of dcomposition, was sentenced
-
Crime & Safety3 days ago
Mother claims she put her baby to bed and then something happened, saying she doesn’t recaII anything until giving the child CPR after causing fataI injuries to the infant at her home: police
-
Crime & Safety3 days ago
1-month-old dies after his mom Ieft the chiId with his dad, who rareIy heIped with caring for the baby, only for the man to repeatedIy sIap the lnfant in the head with an open hand in an attempt to stop him from crying: police
-
Eugene1 week ago
EPD arrests 18-year-old in 2024 Broadway shooting after joint investigation with Springfield Police
-
Eugene1 week ago
EPD to host National Night Out event at PK Park on August 3
-
Eugene1 week ago
Eugene invites community to participate in 2025 survey to guide future planning
-
Eugene2 days ago
Eugene Springfield fire crews respond to apartment building fire with no injuries