Tragedy struck Memphis as two individuals were arrested in connection with the death of a one-year-old child, who succumbed to her injuries in a local hospital. The suspects, Kiya Moore, 21, and Dejon Smith, 34, are facing first-degree murder charges along with counts of aggravated child abuse and neglect, after the child they were babysitting, Kali Moore, was pronounced dead with severe injuries. According to Action News 5, officers received a distressing call about the child experiencing cardiac arrest at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital early on Saturday.
Subsequent investigation of the pair's home revealed conditions that raised immediate concern, it was noted that there was no baby food and the suitability of the sleeping arrangement for the baby were not apparent. "He got a son that just started kindergarten," an anonymous neighbor reflected on Smith to WREG, expressing shock over the allegations levied against a man known to have his own children.
Further inquiry revealed distressing details as the baby had suffered from multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed, a bruised kidney, and other signs of abuse, according to a medicolegal examination. In a statement obtained by FOX13, a neighbor conveyed disbelief at the alleged brutality, with Alvin Riley saying, "What deranged animal, I mean, animals don't do that."
While both Moore and Smith gave conflicting accounts of the events that led to Kali's fatal condition, police have pieced together a chilling narrative of violence and negligence. FOX13 also uncovered that Kiya Moore had been previously indicted on four counts of aggravated child abuse and was out on bond at the time of the incident. In the mire of allegations and a community's grief, the question of, "Why?" lingers unanswered, voiced by neighbor William Pegues in an interview with FOX13. Moore and Smith are expected to appear in court on Monday to face their somber reckoning with justice.
