New York man found guilty of killing his 4-year-old foster child
10/04/2022 11:46 am PDT
SCHENECTADY COUNTY, N.Y. (TCD) -- A 29-year-old father was recently convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the 2020 death of his 4-year-old foster child.
According to the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office, on Dec. 20, 2020, the Rotterdam Police Department, paramedics, and fire personnel responded to a report of a 4-year-old child named Charlie who was suffering from respiratory distress. Authorities performed lifesaving measures, but ultimately, the child could not be revived, and he was pronounced deceased at Ellis Hospital.
In September 2020, the D.A.’s Office said Charlie and his 5-year-old brother were placed into the foster home of Dequan and Latrisha Greene after being removed from the custody of their biological parents. The Greenes, who have three children of their own, were reportedly certified as foster parents by the Schenectady County Department of Social Services.
When interviewed, the D.A.’s Office said Dequan Greene told authorities his foster son fell out of a chair and began to slur his words before passing out. He also said Charlie choked.
According to the D.A.’s Office, Dequan Greene’s wife was out shopping when he called her instead of 911. His wife reportedly called 911 after coming home.
The D.A.’s Office said Charlie suffered blunt force trauma and died from extensive internal injury to his liver and intestines. The victim’s older brother was reportedly taken from the Greenes’ home and transported to a hospital for treatment for bruises, abrasions, and a torn frenulum he endured.
Dequan Greene was initially indicted in January 2021 by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder, the D.A.’s Office announced.
On Monday, Oct. 3, he was found guilty of those charges and faces up to 25 years to life in prison, the Daily Gazette reports.
During the trial, prosecutors reportedly claimed Dequan Greene "severely lacerated the boy’s liver and caused other internal injuries that would have killed him within minutes," and then he lied about why his foster son stopped breathing.
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