INKSTER, Mich. – A father and his girlfriend are both blaming each other after they were charged in the beating death of a toddler in Inkster.
The 3-year-old boy was taken to a Garden City hospital earlier this month with severe injuries and later died. The Wayne County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. The autopsy found Tyme Smith was beaten so badly his liver was split in two.
Aurelio Smith, 41, and his girlfriend, Andrea Bracy, 21, were back in court on felony murder, first-degree child abuse and torture charges.
The packed courtroom was divided between two families. Both Smith and Bracy gave extensive statements to Inkster police following their arrest in Tyme's death. Defense attorneys said they have been unable to view the DVDs of the statements due to technical difficulties.
Local 4 has learned that Smith was out of town Oct. 12 when Bracy called him and told him to return to Inkster for a problem with the boy. Sources said when Smith returned, he allegedly beat Bracy and attacked his son in the process.
The couple took Tyme to the hospital hours after the beating.
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