The tragic demise of a 2-year-old boy in the Mark Twain neighborhood has been officially classified as a homicide. Authorities began their investigation on Monday, following reports of the child being unresponsive. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stated that officers were called to a scene on the 4900 block of Thekla at approximately 10:40 p.m. Later, another distress call concerning the same child near I-70 & St. Louis Avenue was made, according to police reports.
Emergency Medical Services responded and swiftly transported the toddler to the hospital where he, unfortunately, was pronounced dead. Initially, the Child Abuse Unit took charge of the case, which is the typical protocol when a child's death is at hand. After examining the child, The Medical Examiner’s Office reported yesterday that the boy had signs of strangulation and additional injuries; leading to the determination that the death was a homicide, and then the Homicide Division was brought in to lead the investigation.
The victim has been identified as Bre’yeon Wells. As detectives continue to unravel the circumstances that precipitated the child's fatal injuries, two adults who were in the company of the child at the time of the incident have been questioned and released. They remain subjects of interest as the inquiry persists.
As the community reels from this heart-wrenching event, law enforcement is actively seeking information from the public. Officials urge anyone with insights into the incident to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371. Alternatively, CrimeStoppers is an option for those who wish to stay anonymous and possibly receive a cash reward for information leading to a felony arrest; they can be contacted at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
