An 11-year-old Chicago boy died Wednesday while trying to protect his pregnant mother from her knife-wielding ex-boyfriend, who had been released from prison the day before.
Crosetti Brand, 37, is accused of stabbing a boy and a 33-year-old woman in the chest before he was arrested for the brutal murder of Jayden Perkins, police said. chicago police department.
Bland was on parole Tuesday from Statesville Correctional Center, where he was serving a 16-year sentence for burglary and aggravated assault.
A man forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Edgewater, Illinois, and “brutally attacked” her family, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. Press conference.
The 33-year-old mother of two was leaving to take her children to school at around 8am when Brand attacked.
An 11-year-old boy stepped in to protect his mother from a crazed attacker after she was stabbed on her front porch.
Snelling also said the woman’s “5-year-old son was present and witnessed the attack.”
After officers arrived on the scene, the mother and son were taken to hospital where they were both found stabbed “multiple times.”
Perkins was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
His mother is listed in critical condition, but prosecutors said she and the baby are expected to survive.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said, “An innocent child’s life was taken too soon as she tried to protect her mother, and her mother was attacked in what should have been her safest place: her home.” Ta.
Police said Bland was captured on video fleeing the home and throwing a “silver item” – later determined to be a bloody knife – over a fence.
Chicago Police Department Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said the mother had a “lifetime” protection order against Bland and had a relationship with the felon more than 15 years ago.
Bland was also charged with one count of attempted murder, burglary with a dangerous weapon, domestic assault, robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a weapon by a felon, and violation of a protective order, the documents state. show.
The child murder suspect was released on parole in October last year.
However, the allegations were made again in February after Bland “threatened the female victim via text messages and even showed up at her home,” Fox said.
Snelling said he “doesn’t have a good answer” as to why Bland was released and deferred questions to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“My feeling is he shouldn’t have done that,” Snelling said. “He violated his parole. He violated a protective order and it was related to the same type of crime he was paroled for. So this is someone who shouldn’t have been on the street. ”
Mr Fox said the problems with Mr Brand’s case were “shocking and very clear”.
“Although rare, this is appalling and especially in this and other cases, there are no gaps in the justice system that would allow dangerous criminals to commit such acts. We need to evaluate whether that is the case.”
A vigil for Perkins was held on Thursday following the callous murder.
The 11-year-old earned straight A’s in school, consistently excelled in his grades, and was involved in cross country, football, and art. Website Established in memory of a boy who was shared.
“Jaden has a passion for performance and theater and has starred in several school plays including ‘Finding Nemo’ at Perth Elementary School.”
His mother was also referred to on the site as a “beloved member” of the school staff before moving into the medical field.
