Baby's Death Ruled Homicide; Family Holds Memorial
Posted: 2:10 pm EDT March 17, 2009Updated: 12:00 am EDT March 18, 2009
On the heels of news that a Jefferson County baby's death has been ruled a homicide, the victim's family held a memorial service for him.
Family members gathered at a home in Wellsville Tuesday night to say goodbye to 18-month-old Christopher Joy Jr. of Richmond.
While family members told NEWS9 they don't understand the child's death, they reflected on happy memories of his short 18 months.
Autopsy results have determined a Jefferson County baby died of blunt force trauma, investigators said.
Homicide charges are pending against Joseph Kyle Moran, 25, of Richmond, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said.
Moran was dating the baby's mother and was alone with the baby at the time of death, police said.
When emergency crews arrived at a Richmond home early Monday, they said the 18-month-old was dead, his body covered in bruises.
Abdalla said a homicide charge is expected to be filed by the county prosecutor on Wednesday and Moran will be arraigned either Wednesday or Thursday.
Looking at a photo of the child's injuries, Abdalla said, "You know that wasn't caused by a fall -- striking his head on a plastic toy. It just didn't happen that way."
Initially, Abdalla said the child's mother told investigators Christopher had recently fallen onto one of his toys and had some bruising around his face.
However, when the sheriff showed the mother photos of her child's injuries, she broke down and said those were not the bruises she had last seen her son with. The mother said the injuries were much more severe.
The sheriff said he has more information about how the child may have suffered those fatal injuries, but said it is too early in the case to disclose that information.
Abdalla noted that family members told him they have seen bruises on the child in the past but they were never reported.
Abdalla said Moran has an attorney and has been cooperative. He remains in the Jefferson County Jail.
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