A 10-year-old boy was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of his toddler cousin in Marion County, Fl.
The Sheriff's Office said months after the death of 2-year-old Journee Blyden, detectives and prosecutors from the State Attorney's Office determined the charges against the 10-year-old.
The boy was booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been placed on juvenile hold.
On June 21, little Journee was rushed to the hospital with severe head trauma and succumbed to her injuries days later, deputies said.
The initial report given to detectives was that Journee sustained her injuries after she fell from her playpen.
Deputies said after interview witnesses, they concluded that the 10-year-old caused the 2-year-old's fatal injuries.
During a follow-up interview, a juvenile witness told detectives the 10-year-old had physically abused her and Journee when the three were unsupervised, deputies said.
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The Marion County Sheriff's Office said the 10-year-old suspect told them he was running while holding his toddler cousin and fell on the kitchen floor -- which caused the 2-year-old's injuries.
Officials said the 10-year-old claimed he placed Journee on the counter and accidentally pushed her off the counter top.
The Medical Examiner's Office determined Journee's injuries were not consistent with the statement given by the 10-year-old boy and ruled the victim's death a homicide.
A court hearing for the 10-year-old suspect is scheduled for Thursday.
