Virginia – In a tragic and disturbing case that has gained national attention, 25-year-old Z. Perry has been charged with second-degree murder and felony child neglect after a 1-year-old boy died while in his care.
The child’s mother, S. Holliday, had trusted Perry, described as a close family friend, to babysit her son. But what was meant to be a safe arrangement ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
Child Found Unresponsive, Pronounced Dead at the Scene
The police were called to a home on the morning of April 5 at 7:46 a.m. after a report of an unresponsive child. When emergency teams arrived, they found the baby boy unconscious on a mattress.
Paramedics attempted life-saving efforts, but sadly, the child was pronounced dead within minutes.
Autopsy Reveals Signs of Severe Abuse
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy that revealed shocking injuries, including:
- Multiple broken ribs
- A three-inch liver laceration
- Brain bleeding, associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome
These injuries pointed to a case of severe physical abuse. Investigators said the injuries were not consistent with any accidental fall, as Perry initially claimed.
Perry Admits to Shaking the Child
In an interview with police, Perry admitted to shaking and squeezing the baby in frustration after discovering the child had soiled himself. He said he gave the boy a bath and lost control during the process.
Medical experts confirmed that the liver injury and brain trauma were consistent with violent shaking, not a minor accident as Perry claimed.
Text Messages Reveal Troubling Behavior
Investigators also found text messages Perry had sent to the child’s mother. In one of them, he chillingly wrote the baby “gotta go,” showing growing frustration and aggression throughout the day.
These messages have been used as part of the case to highlight Perry’s state of mind leading up to the fatal incident.
Legal Proceedings Underway
At the time of the murder charges, Perry was already in custody on unrelated charges. He now faces formal charges of second-degree murder and child neglect.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 2 at 8:30 a.m., where more details are expected to come out.