A Florida woman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her 4-year-old son and then trying to cover up her abuse with makeup.
Tampa police said in a news release that 36-year-old Alaia Hudson was taken into custody at her home Monday night in connection with the death of her son, Joseph. The suspect is charged with first-degree murder involving aggravated child abuse.
Officers responded to a home in the 8400 block of North 15th Street around 4:30 a.m. Saturday after Hudson called 911 saying her son was unresponsive.
When officers arrived at the home, they performed CPR on the boy, but he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
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Alaia Hudson, 36, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse following the death of her 4-year-old son, Joseph. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Hudson initially claimed her son had started coughing and had trouble breathing after eating potato chips and drinking water, but detectives later discovered he may have had a history of child abuse.
According to police, an autopsy on Joseph’s body revealed multiple injuries, including bruises, abrasions and internal bleeding, and an autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and torso.
Police said detectives also found that Hudson had attempted to hide the child abuse by wearing colored makeup to hide bruising around his eyes and claimed he was disciplining his son.
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An autopsy determined that 4-year-old Joseph’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and torso. (iStock)
“This was a heinous crime, and every child has the right to feel safe in their own home, especially with their mother,” Police Chief Lee Berkow said in a statement. “The Tampa Police Department is committed to bringing justice to Joseph and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”
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Hudson was incarcerated in Orient Road Prison.
Police said the other children were taken from her home and placed with their biological father, who does not live with Hudson.
