WASHINGTON (AP) — A District of Columbia mother has been indicted in the beating death of her 3-year-old son.
The Washington Post reports (http://wapo.st/1sjpVhG ) that 25-year-old Frances Lyles was indicted Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and cruelty to children. She could face life in prison if convicted on all counts.
Her attorney has argued that there was no evidence Lyles was responsible for the death of her son, Xavier, on June 23.
An autopsy report found that Xavier suffered from bleeding of his heart, a bruised liver, and a dislodged kidney. He was covered in cuts and bruises, and had healed, older bruises on his back, and scars under his chin.
Prosecutors had offered Lyles a plea agreement at a hearing last month to involuntary manslaughter but she rejected it.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
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