DC Man Charged in 2-Month-Old's Death Allegedly Tried To Blame His Autistic Son, Prosecutors Say

A Washington, DC man allegedly attempted to blame his autistic six-year-old son for the fatal injuries suffered by a two-month-old girl, prosecutors say, after being left alone with five children in his care.

Demetrius Beatty, 40, has been charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children in connection with the 16 August death of Khamyah Honesty.

The baby was found unconscious at Beatty's Southeast DC home and later died in hospital, with an autopsy determining that she suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to the head and that her death was a homicide.

How Demetrius Beatty Allegedly Blamed His Autistic Son

According to prosecutors and court documents, Beatty told police that his autistic and non-verbal son had attacked Khamyah. His account allegedly changed during questioning, with investigators hearing different explanations about what had happened to the infant.

The allegation became a central part of the case after a forensic pathologist determined that the injuries could not have been inflicted by a young child, according to court documents.

Khamyah had facial bruising, serious head injuries and bleeding in her eyes before she was taken to hospital, and she was pronounced dead after being transported for emergency treatment.

Khamyah's mother had left the children in Beatty's care while she went out to run an errand. Beatty was reportedly alone with the five children at his residence when the infant suffered the fatal injuries.

The circumstances surrounding the children's care are now part of the prosecution's case, including allegations that Beatty had previously threatened the twins and was bitter about their biological father. Court documents also describe concerns about the children's welfare and living conditions.

Prosecutors Point to Jealousy, Neglect and Drug Use

Prosecutors allege Beatty was resentful after learning that the twins had been fathered by another man while he and their mother were in a relationship. Beatty and the children's mother were no longer in a relationship but continued co-parenting her five children, according to authorities.

Prosecutors allege Beatty later violently assaulted Khamyah while caring for the children alone. Court documents also allege that Beatty locked the infant twins inside a closet because they were crying and smelled foul.

Police described the home as filthy and cluttered, while court documents say pills and marijuana were left in the open. Beatty also admitted to using fentanyl in the days before Khamyah's death, according to the court documents.

The four surviving children were subsequently removed from the home and placed in the care of child welfare authorities. They were reportedly found with signs of neglect and unexplained injuries, according to court documents.

Baby Had Survived a 75-Foot Escalator Fall Weeks Earlier

The fatal incident followed another serious injury involving Khamyah just weeks earlier. Court documents say the infant had fallen roughly 75 feet down an escalator after slipping from a car seat, while investigators said her mother appeared to minimise the seriousness of the incident.

The court documents also indicate that concerns about the children's safety had been raised before the killing. A relative of the twins' father had reportedly spent two months trying to get the city's Child and Family Services Agency to check on the children because of concerns about their welfare.

Beatty was ordered to remain in custody without bond following his initial court appearance. He is due back in court on 28 September for a preliminary hearing.

The charges are allegations, and Beatty is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.