Ohio Mother & Stepfather Indicted in 4-Year-Old's Death

This is just sickening. On top of the Marc Bookal case, another 4 year-old's death came at the hands of his parent(s) - and they are being officially charged! 10TV News out of Columbus reports that Nikkie Reeves, biological mother to Lawrence King III, and her husband, John J. Reeves, were indicted today by a Franklin County Grand Jury on multiple charges related to the March 18th death of the little boy.

Lawrence King III died after being found unresponsive inside the Reeves' far-east side apartment, 10TV news reports. Nikkie & John Reeves initially said the boy may have been injured while fighting with his cousin, but the mother later recanted that story. She admitted to police that stepfather John Reeves beat the child as a form of punishment while she remained in a bedroom with her 3 younger children, the music cranked up. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Nikkie Reed said she heard her son being thrown against a wall, then later saw him convulsing. Police say the couple didn't call for help until more than four hours later, first trying to revive the boy in cold water.

Perhaps what is most upsetting about this case is the fact that little Lawrence had been in the care of his paternal grandmother up until February 26th of this year. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Lori N. Jones told the courts that she "wanted to hide him somewhere" because "she knew something was going to happen." This is so hard to accept!!! Why did Nikkie Reeves take on the responsibility of the 4 year-old when she had someone else (the grandmother) who was more than willing to provide for him? The way this child was treated is ABOMINABLE. John J. Reeves is a sick man, but in my opinion the mother is just as responsible for her son's death. When will women STOP letting men abuse their children?! Or better yet, when will women stop settling for these pathetic excuses of human beings?

Sources:
The Columbus Dispatch. Radio drowned out fatal beating. March 20th, 2010.
Mother, Stepfather Indicted in 4-Year-Old's Death. March 26th, 2010.