11-year-old being held in death of infant cousin
04/06/99

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - An 11-year-old baby sitter has been charged with murder, accused of beating her 14-month-old cousin to death while the infant's mother was at a custody hearing.

Police said the girl hit the boy several times Monday. Coroner Frank Barron said the boy had bruises on his head and face and died from internal bleeding.

A neighbor called authorities after hearing screams from the home. The boy, Joshua Parker, went into cardiac arrest and died later in a hospital.

The girl was ordered by a family court judge to undergo a mental evaluation. Under state law, the girl can be charged as an adult and could be be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

The state Department of Social Services had placed the boy in his aunt's home in December.

By Associated Press