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.