Boy beaten to death over slice of birthday cake

The mother and uncle of a 9-year-old Maryland boy who authorities say was handcuffed and beaten for sneaking a piece of birthday cake have been charged with murder and child abuse, police said.

Oriana Garcia, the mother, and Jacob Barajas, the uncle, were arrested after authorities learned they planned to move to the West Coast, Hagerstown police said in a statement.

The boy, Jack Garcia, died on July 5 after being on life support at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington following the beating, a Hagerstown police spokesman said.

Garcia and Barajas were charged with second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in his death.

Police said Garcia did not allow emergency responders to provide medical treatment to her son after knowing he was beaten on June 30.

Police said Garcia’s boyfriend, Robert Wilson, 30, handcuffed and beat her son late that night after he caught him eating birthday cake without permission at their home in Hagerstown, about 80km northwest of Washington.

Barajas assisted Wilson in handcuffing the boy, police added. Wilson was previously charged with first- and second-degree assault, child abuse and reckless endangerment.

Police found the boy with injuries to his face, neck, back, buttocks, legs, and abdomen, according to a statement. He was unconscious and not breathing.