A 38-year-old West Milwaukee man is facing a homicide charge after his 66-year-old mother was found dead inside their apartment, authorities say. Investigators allege he grabbed a wooden baseball bat during an argument, hit her multiple times and left her to die at the scene.
Investigation Details
West Milwaukee officers were dispatched shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 24 to a building near 44th Street and W. Mitchell Street. Inside a guest bedroom, they found the victim, identified as 66-year-old Cheryl Jenkins, lying face down with a wooden bat resting on top of her. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office quickly classified the case as a homicide, according to WISN 12 News.
Surveillance, Flight and Arrest
According to a criminal complaint, surveillance video showed a man leaving the apartment complex around 6 a.m. and boarding a Milwaukee County Transit System bus. Investigators used tips and follow-up work to track a suspect to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, where officers arrested him without incident. Those details are outlined in court records reviewed by FOX6.
Arrest and Charges
Court documents identify the suspect as 38-year-old Hayward Jenkins. The complaint states that Jenkins told investigators he and his mother had argued over silver coins and money, and that he "flipped out" before striking her several times with the bat. He is charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide, and a judge set his bond at $300,000 during an initial court appearance on March 1, according to CBS 58.
Neighbors and Family Reaction
Neighbors told reporters the scene inside the building was gruesome, and relatives declined to comment when approached by local media. By the next day, cleaning crews were seen entering the apartment as investigators continued to process evidence and document the unit, WISN 12 News reported.
What the Charge Means
In Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony, the most serious level of criminal charge in the state. The statute lays out limited mitigating circumstances under which a case can be reduced to second-degree intentional homicide. A Class A homicide conviction can result in life imprisonment, as described in Wis. Stat. § 940.01.
West Milwaukee police and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office continue to investigate while prosecutors review the complaint and prepare for upcoming court dates. Anyone with information is urged to contact West Milwaukee police or Milwaukee County authorities, local outlets report, including FOX6.
