LAKELAND, Fla. -- A 24-year-old Lakeland man has been arrested in the death of a 2-year-old who medical officials say died from blunt force trauma.
- Lakeland man arrested in homicide of child
- Mekhi Laster, 2, died from blunt force trauma
- Jamal Carson charged with 1st degree murder
Jamal Carson is charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of Mekhi Laster.
The Lakeland Police Department Spokesman, Gary Gross, has spent years as a crimes against children investigator, but says this is about the worst thing he has ever seen.
"It's just shocking. There is no other way to describe it," Gross said.
On Aug. 31 just before 11 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to 1020 North Stella Avenue in reference to an unresponsive 2-year-old child. Officers found Mekhi, who did not appear to be breathing, laying face up on the floor. Mekhi was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and died almost an hour later.
According to the report, Lamonica Laster, Mekhi's mother, said she left her son in the care of her best friend, Carson. Police said Carson had been caring for Laster for approximately two weeks.
On Aug. 31, Carson said Mekhi became "fussy" and thought he was in pain because of a broken foot. Carson told police that Mehki's health continued to deteriorate so he tried to put him in front of the air conditioner to cool him down in an effort to wake him. When that didn't work, Carson said he called 911 approximately 20 minutes later.
An autopsy done on Sept. 4 revealed bruises on Mehki's back, face, and lip area, an injury to his abdomen, numerous broken posterior ribs, a broken pelvis, a swollen scrotum, multiple internal injuries, sever internal bleeding, and significant impacts to the victim's skull.
A medical examiner determined the cause of death was multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma and the manner of death was homicide.
During a second interview with investigators on Sept. 4, Carson admitted to "becoming frustrated with Mekhi and punching him numerous times, squeezing him forcefully, slamming his head onto the concrete floor at least two times and other intentional acts of batter."
"He just got into a rage and started hitting the child and punching him and slamming his head onto the concrete which caused these injuries," Gross stated.
Investigators say Carson knowingly and willfully physically abused Mekhi, causing great bodily harm. "The defendant engaged in a course of conduct that showed reckless disregard for human life, and for the safety of two-year-old, Mekhi Laster," the report stated.
"Everybody involved in this case is still trying to understand and wrap this around their mind," Gross said.
Carson's dad told Bay News 9 that his son has mental health problems.