A man has been apprehended in New Hampshire on suspicion of second-degree murder following the tragic death of a 7-year-old girl, who was under his care earlier this year in Kirkland, Washington. Demiko A. Fox, 22, was arrested yesterday and is currently being detained without bail, pending legal proceedings which include an arraignment and an extradition hearing set for today. The girl, having been brought to a hospital on April 11, 2024, with no pulse and showing clear signs of abuse, succumbed to an acute traumatic brain injury six days later, on April 17, 2024.
According to KOMO News, the Kirkland Police, assisted by the Bow Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service traced Fox to a temporary residence at a hotel near Concord, New Hampshire, leading to his capture. The King County Medical Examiner's Office had determined homicide as the cause of the child’s death on July 17, 2024, prompting a coordinated multi-agency search ending in Fox's arrest. The U.S. Marshals Service also shared that Fox was a student-athlete, previously "committed to New England College" for football, however, specifics of his academic association were not disclosed, as reported by KING 5.
In an interview with KING 5, Tiffany Trombley, a public information officer for the Kirkland Police Department mentioned the arrest as a "coordinated effort" and although Fox claimed the girl’s mother was his sister, who no longer wanted her, Trombley stated that police "weren't able to find, or confirm, a biological connection" but clarified that Fox was responsible for the child's care when the abuse occurred.
Court documents highlighted in FOX 13 Seattle report that Fox has a history of violent behavior, including a pending felony for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris, in a statement obtained by KOMO News, emphasized the critical nature of reporting suspected child neglect or abuse while also acknowledging the extensive collaborative efforts in ensuring a smooth operation for Fox's arrest. Bow Police Chief Ken Miller echoed these sentiments, appreciating the meticulous coordination between the involved agencies.
The extradition process will facilitate Fox’s return to Washington State, where he will face pending second-degree murder charges. The Kirkland Police and the partnering law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation, and have not released further details about the events leading up to the child's death or the subsequent manhunt.
