Angry babysitter broke boy's ribs, lacerated liver: Cops
Share and Follow

Zai-Twond Perry

Inset: Zai-Twond Perry (Newport News Police). Background: Virginia home where Perry allegedly murdered a 1-year-old boy he was babysitting (Google Maps).

A 20-month-old died at the hands of his babysitter, who became so frustrated that he texted the toddler’s mother to say the boy “gotta go” before breaking his ribs and lacerating his liver, Virginia cops allege.

The Newport News Police Department said in a press release its officers responded around 7:46 a.m. April 5 to a home on Cedar Avenue for a report of an unresponsive child. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the boy dead on scene. An autopsy determined the boy, who has not been publicly identified, suffered “internal trauma” leading to his death. After a “thorough investigation,” cops on Friday arrested 25-year-old Zai-Twond Perry on charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Failed to prevent abuse’: State issues damning report on hospital after NICU nurse allegedly assaulted vulnerable babies

Local NBC affiliate WAVY obtained an arrest affidavit that said the boy’s mother enlisted Perry, a family friend, to babysit her son. In an interview with detectives, Perry allegedly told detectives he found the boy playing in his own feces, the station reported. He was giving the boy a bath when he allegedly squeezed the boy’s ribs in frustration. The autopsy noted the boy bruising on the torso and broken ribs.

The child also suffered a three-inch laceration on the liver, which caused internal bleeding along with bleeding on the brain that possibly came from Perry shaking him, the affidavit reportedly said. Throughout the day, Perry allegedly texted the boy’s mother that the toddler “gotta go.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

False Allegation Leads to Shooting: Police Investigate Woman’s Deceptive Claim About Hidden Man

Patty Armour and Lois Armour (Ralls County Jail). When officers came to…

Urgent: Help Locate Missing Georgia Man and His Dog – Last Seen Leaving Home Together

The search is ongoing for a Georgia man who mysteriously disappeared on…

Tragic Incident: Newborn Girl Fatally Scalded in Disturbing Parental Abuse Case

Left: Z’ibreyea S. Parker. Right: Hilary Johnson II (Norfolk Police Department). Inset:…

Repeat Offender Caught Stealing from Butler Plaza Stores, Heads to Pawn Shop with Stolen Goods

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On October 21, authorities arrested 36-year-old Sherry…

Adult Film Star on Trial for Alleged Murder of Husband’s Father

The trial of a Nevada adult film actress, charged with the gruesome…

Tragic Case Unfolds: Esteemed Teacher Found Bound and Fatally Tortured

Jonathan Levin, the heir to one of New York City’s most influential…

Double Trouble: Police Nab Pair in Stolen Truck Linked to Home Invasion Heist

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities apprehended…

Police Report: Tragic Incident as Baby Suffers After Mother Falls Asleep

Sarah Jamison (Bixby Police Department). In a tragic incident, an Oklahoma mother…