Deric Young Arrested; – A man charged with the fatal assault of a 1-year-old has been formally indicted on a first-degree murder charge.
As per court documents, Deric Young has also been indicted for aggravated child abuse resulting in great bodily harm.
Young made an appearance in court on Monday, where the judge mandated that he be held without bond. During the same week of the child’s demise, he declined to attend his initial court appearances on two occasions.
Last month, Young admitted to law enforcement that he had punched 1-year-old Ky’meria German while he was “playing.” The 25-year-old was apprehended merely 24 hours after Tallahassee police responded to a report concerning a 1-year-old child who was not breathing. Officers arrived at the residence and attempted to revive the young girl; however, Ky’meria was declared dead at a hospital.
As the investigation into Ky’meria’s death progressed, law enforcement stated that they “quickly discovered indications of foul play.”
Young’s arrest affidavit disclosed unsettling information from the investigation leading to Ky’meria’s death. This included Young breaking down in tears moments before confessing to investigators that he had repeatedly punched the child.
Prior to the young girl’s death, she had been entrusted to his care after her original babysitter, her mother’s cousin, had left for work.
The day following Ky’meria’s death, an autopsy was performed, revealing concerning details regarding her injuries. Specifically, the autopsy indicated that she “had sustained severe injuries, including multiple blows to the head with a closed fist that ultimately led to the child’s death,” according to police reports.
Upon learning of the autopsy findings, detectives interviewed Young for a second time. Initially, he denied causing harm to Ky’meria, but he later admitted to striking her, as per arrest documents. Before the alleged abuse occurred, court records suggested that Young had smoked cannabis just minutes prior, which he claimed prompted him to want “to play” with the young girl.
Ky’meria is survived by an older brother and a twin brother, as indicated in court records.
