Man Charged With Murder Of Toddler Found With Plastic Bag On His Head

A Cleveland man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s two-year-old son who was found with a plastic bag on his head.

Ronald Hicks Jr., 25, was arrested after the June 11 incident and initially charged with felonious assault. He appeared in court Monday to be arraigned on the upgraded charge, reported US News.

Talking about the day of the incident, police said they were called to a home on West 39th Street by Hicks who reported an “unresponsive” child.

He was babysitting his two children and his girlfriend’s two young children at the home, while his girlfriend was at work, according to police.

He told police officials that he was cleaning the house when the four children “became unruly” and he asked them to go upstairs. Hicks said he went to check on the kids after they became quiet, according to police reports. He said he found the toddler on a bed with a plastic bag over his head.

Hicks told police that the child was unconscious, breathing slowly, and had a fast heartbeat. He said that the toddler also had blood on his lip and was starting to turn blue.

Hicks said he took the bag off the child, performed CPR on him, and called 911. The boy was rushed to the hospital but he died the next day. Hicks told police that he previously "warned the child to stop putting bags over his head."

Doctors, who examined the child, found that the child suffered a fractured neck and severe skull fracture, which caused bleeding on his brain. They concluded that the injuries couldn't have happened from the child having a bag over his head.

The three other children at home were reportedly unhurt.

Reports said Hicks is on probation after he pleaded guilty in October to shooting a man after an argument.

In the case registered last year, Hicks is said to have fought with the 22-year-old man. Court records say he pulled out a gun and fired a shot that grazed the other man’s face. Hicks was ordered to attend gun safety and anger management classes as part of his probation.