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Deric Young, a Florida man, has reportedly been indicted after allegedly admitting to punching Kymeria Keymoni German, a 1-year-old girl, to death.
According to WWNY, on June 23, around 9:15 a.m., Tallahassee police received reports regarding a “1-year-old child not breathing.” Furthermore, the officers arrived at a residence and reportedly found German. The officers reportedly performed lifesaving measures. However, the 1-year-old was reportedly pronounced deceased at a hospital.
As officials investigated the incident, they “quickly uncovered signs of foul play.” Per the outlet, investigators learned that Young had been left with the child after her “original babysitter,” his girlfriend, went to work the night before. Furthermore, Young admitted to smoking marijuana “just minutes before” having the urge to “play” with the 1-year-old. Twenty-four hours later, Young was arrested. Additionally, after a second interview with the police, he admitted to punching German repeatedly.
Per PEOPLE, Young said he punched the 1-year-old in the face “several times.” Furthermore, he reportedly demonstrated his actions to police, showing that he hit the child with closed fists, striking her “between two to three times on both sides of her face and head.”
“When I smoke, I want to play,” he reportedly told authorities.
According to WWNY, Kymeria Keymoni German’s autopsy showed that she had “suffered severe injuries.” Furthermore, the report noted the “multiple strikes” to her head. Furthermore, it noted that the strikes with the “closed fist… ultimately caused the childs death.”
Per the outlet, Deric Young has been indicted on an aggravated child abuse and first-degree murder charge. Furthermore, he reportedly appeared in court on Monday, July 21. During his appearance, the judge reportedly ordered him to be held without bond. To note, per WWNY, German is survived by her twin brother, who was also present with her and Young during the time of the fatal assault. The boy was reportedly left unharmed by Young.
According to WCAX, the child’s original babysitter is the cousin of Ky’meria Key’moni German’s mother, Nickaiya Walker.
“Many people loved her. [My cousin and Young] could have just called me. Yall could have just called my mother. Yall could have just called anybody, and a family member to get her. My baby didnt deserve that,” she reportedly said, per WCAX.
On June 23, Walker took to Facebook to share a post, grieving her daughter.
To note, Walker has also shared her family’s GoFundMe campaign.
Deric Young is not the only Florida man to recently face charges in the death of a young child. As The Shade Room previously reported, in June, Travis Ray Thompson was sentenced to life in prison for allegedly severing the spine of his ex-girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter.
“Jacklyn was lifeless, with a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen,” officials stated in part regarding the fatal incident.
