Minneapolis teen charged in death of toddler
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office Monday charged a Minneapolis teen with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a toddler.
According to the criminal charge filed in Juvenile Court, Cody Samuel Feran-Baum, 17, physically assaulted two-year-old Sophia O'Neill last week as he tried to stop her from crying.
Prosecutors say Feran-Baum admitted to kicking O'Neill and stepping on her back. According to the charges, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined the child died nine hours later from multiple internal injuries.
Prosecutors say the girl's mother told police officers that Feran-Baum is her boyfriend, but not the girl's father.
In a statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman accused the teen of committing "a brutal beating that is almost beyond comprehension."
Prosecutors are seeking to try him as an adult. If convicted of murder, the teenager could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, Freeman said.
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