An 11-year-old Chicago boy died last week while trying to save his mother from a knife attack in her apartment, ABC7 reported Thursday.
Crosetti Brand, the 37-year-old attacker who was released on parole the day before, allegedly stabbed Jaden Perkins to death as she tried to protect her 33-year-old pregnant mother. ABC7.
Perkins’ mother was allegedly stabbed several times, but doctors expect both mother and fetus to survive, ABC7 reported. (Related: Chicago landlord allegedly stabbed 6-year-old to death because he was Muslim)
Jaden Perkins was 11 years old. He was a beautiful dancer. He’s a typical kid. And a hero.
He should be with us today. pic.twitter.com/IuS9BF5NEA
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) March 22, 2024
Police said Perkins’ mother and Bland had a relationship 15 years ago, and that the boy’s mother had an ongoing protection order, the paper said. Police arrived at the scene and found the boy with a wound to his chest, ABC7 reported.
According to ABC7, Chicago Detective Chief Antoinette Ursitti said there was video evidence showing Bland fleeing the scene with a knife before he was arrested hours later.
“This mother’s life has now changed forever,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said, ABC7 reported. “She was brutally attacked and stabbed multiple times, and on top of dealing with that trauma, she also has to face the fact that she can’t see, touch or hug her 11-year-old son. not.”
The chief added that the alleged crime should never have happened, as Bland was sentenced to 16 years in prison for home invasion and was released on parole the day before the alleged attack, ABC7 reported.
“He was released on parole last October and placed on electronic monitoring,” Detective Chief Ursitti said. “During her parole, he threatened the female victim through text messages and even showed up at her home.”
ABC7 reported that during last Friday’s court hearing, grieving family members stormed the brand and got into an altercation with deputies, leading to arrests.
“There should be trust in the criminal justice system and we hope that incidents are rare,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said. “Although rare, this is appalling and especially in this and other cases, are there gaps in the justice system that would allow dangerous criminals to commit such acts? We need to evaluate.”
Bland is facing a list of charges, including one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, ABC7 reported.
