A 22-year-old Fraser man, Hunter Locke-Hughes, has been handed a sentence of up to 30 years for the drowning death of a 6-year-old special needs boy he was babysitting – a decision that has Macomb County's top prosecutor up in arms and launching an appeal. According to a report from FOX 2 Detroit, Prosecutor Pete Lucido said "When a sentencing fails to reflect the gravity of the offense, we must appeal it on behalf of the victim, victim's family, and the community." Judge Kathryn Viviano's sentence was 45 months below the recommended sentencing guidelines for the first-degree child abuse conviction and only at the low end for the involuntary manslaughter charge.
Locke-Hughes was convicted in February on charges that he submerged Terrance "Terry" Adams, the son of his girlfriend, in a bathtub leading to the boy's death. The child was partially blind and had a heart defect, reports WWJ Newsradio 950. Lucido has been outspoken about his disagreement with the sentence, insisting on quickly appealing the decision which he feels failed to truly comprehend the severity of Locke-Hughes's actions.
An autopsy report unveiled multiple bruises on the child's scalp, bleeding and bruises under the scalp, and noted that three of Terry's teeth had been knocked out, suggesting a more violent backdrop to the drowning which was classified as "indeterminate" by the medical examiner. Terry had been born with CHARGE syndrome, presenting significant challenges, but as cited by hoodline, he had made developmental progress, like learning to walk and partially see.
Amidst this heartbreaking tragedy, Terry's father, Gary Adams, voiced his deep frustrations with Child Protective Services, telling The Detroit News, "Before they got in Terry's life, I thought they was supposed to help kids. But now I don't believe that they actually help kids. Especially kids with special needs… When you have a special needs child, you should be extra protective of them, be looking out for them more than the normal child. I don't believe they was looking out for him at all." The Macomb County Prosecutors Office has proudly affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable. "Our commitment to protecting the innocent and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society remains unwavering," Lucido stated, in hopes that the legal proceedings will eventually offer some measure of closure to the bereaved family.
