A Roxbury woman was arraigned on charges of assault and battery Tuesday in connection with the death of her 3-year-old stepson in February.
On Tuesday morning, Maria Buie, 26 of Roxbury, went to the police station in Roxbury with her attorney. She was placed in custody on one charge of assault and battery of a child.
At around 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2016, police responded to a radio call for a trauma incident on Alpine Street. Officers said they found an unresponsive 3-year-old boy inside the home. Buie allegedly struck Kenai Whyte, at his Alpine Street home on January 31.
Prosecutors said Buie was the sole person who cared for Kenai at the time of his injuries. Kenai was transported to Boston Medical Center. He was pronounced dead on Feb. 2. Investigators said Kenai had suffered a broken neck bone, retinal bleeding, bruising to his ears and scalp and a cut to the groin area.
Kenai’s grandmother, Debra Morris-Covington, told reporters outside that she is happy with the arrest and that her grandson did not deserve any of this.
Bail for Buie was set at $100,000 with GPS monitoring and an order to have no contact with children under 16 except her baby. A probable cause hearing was set for April 28.
There was also bruising to the ears and other areas. Buie has a 7 month old child in DSS custody, some family members in court crying.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
Prosecutors say Buie was sole person who cared for the boy at the time of his injuries. He had broken bone in neck, laceration on groin area
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
Maria Buie is now being arraigned in the death of her 3 year old step son. Suffolk ADA outlining case.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
Defense Attorney JW Carney says the child suffered injuries including scratches and broken bones.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
Buie allegedly struck her stepson, 3 yrold Kenai Whyte, at his Alpine Street home in January 31. He was unresponsive and died 2 days later.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
I’m in Roxbury district court awaiting an arraignment of a stepmother in connection with the death of a 3 year old boy last month.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
I’m in Roxbury district court awaiting an arraignment of a stepmother in connection with the death of a 3 year old boy last month.
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) March 29, 2016
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