N.C. father accused of fatally beating 5-year-old autistic son, causing brain hemorrhage
01/03/2024 11:42 am PST
RALEIGH, N.C. (TCD) -- A young boy died from apparent abuse-related injuries this week after his 24-year-old father allegedly abused him and caused a brain hemorrhage.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, on Sunday, Dec. 31, at around 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of an assault on a 5-year-old child at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hospital. Medical staff determined the child's injuries were "consistent with a serious assault."
An arrest warrant obtained by WRAL-TV alleges the victim, Karter Holloway, suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of the abuse. According to WNCN-TV, the pressure caused the boy's brain to move off-center, as well as swelling into the spinal canal and stem.
The boy was reportedly autistic and non-verbal.
Police allege the child's father, Amir Hines, caused his son's injuries, and officers initially arrested him on a charge of felony intentional child abuse causing serious bodily injury.
The boy's grandmother told WRAL that Hines originally told her the child fell in the shower, but medical staff determined the victim had been "beaten all over. Karter had bruises from head to toe."
The victim succumbed to his wounds on Monday, Jan. 1, and Hines was charged with murder the following day.
According to WRAL, Hines did not show any remorse in court.
The victim's father remains held in the Wake County Jail without bond, records show. He was scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 3.
At the time of the alleged abuse, Hines was reportedly on parole after his release from jail for felony robbery with a dangerous weapon.
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