A Florida man is facing a murder charge after authorities say he beat his 7-year-old stepson to death then forced the boy's brothers to sleep in the same bed with the body.
Jack Junior Montgomery, 31, was arrested Sunday on charges including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and child abuse following the killing of Brice Russell, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Montgomery told investigators he disciplined Russell after the boy got out of bed to get a cookie, WFLA reported. His brothers told investigators they saw Montgomery punch the boy in the head and stomach several times with a closed fist, and then threatened the two brothers if they didn't help him discipline the boy.
"[Montgomery] picked him up and flung him as described by the other brothers, helicopter across the hotel room into what’s kind of a cabinet, where he hit head first. And ultimately caused his brain to bleed," Assistant State Attorney Matthew Smith said.
Russell's brothers said Montgomery tried splashing water on Brice’s face but he didn’t wake up, the report said. Smith said the brothers were then forced to sleep with the boy's body.
"As if that was not aggravated enough, Mr. Montgomery took the child, put him in bed and had his siblings sleep with him while Mr. while Brice was dead that entire night," Smith said.
Officials said Montgomery, the children and Russell's mother, Donya Shenita Russell, lived at the Seffner Masters Inn, near Tampa. Donya Russell was working at the time of the incident, Smith said.
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Montgomery was being held on $870,000 bond Tuesday, jail records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
