HOUSTON (AP) _ Investigators in Houston say a troubled 12-year-old left unsupervised with younger children from two families is charged in a baby’s death.
A judge in Houston on Wednesday ordered him held in juvenile detention on a capital murder charge.
Authorities believe the boy threw a 10-month-old baby to the floor — causing fatal injuries. The 12-year-old wasn’t in school because he’d been suspended for fighting.
The preteen is not eligible for the death penalty but could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Child Protective Services says Deandre Washington was injured March 12 and died two days later.
The suspect’s mother, Tawanna Scott, told KHOU-TV that police say her son confessed — but her son denied that to her. She also insisted if her son threw the baby — it was an accident.
He has nine siblings, ranging in age from 5 months to 16 years.