A Maryland man has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a toddler, Prince George's County police said.
The little girl, 2-year-old Nychelle Pettus, died of traumatic head injuries in the apartment where she lived with her mother and the suspect, Prince George's County police said.
Police announced Wednesday that they have arrested Kevin Robinson, 38, for the killing.
Police said Robinson is in a relationship with the little girl's mother and that they lived together in an apartment on County Road in District Heights. Officers were called to that apartment on the night of May 27 and found Nychelle unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Robinson was alone with Nychelle when she was fatally injured, according to a preliminary investigation.
On Friday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Nychelle's death a homicide caused by traumatic head injuries. Detectives arrested Robinson four days later, police said.
During interviews with detectives, Robinson allegedly admitted he was alone with Nychelle for eight hours while her mother was away, but he repeatedly denied harming her.
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At one point, Robinson told detectives Nychelle had fallen from his arms to the floor and she cried briefly before he put her to bed for the night. Prosecutors said that account is inconsistent with the medical examiner's findings.
Robinson is charged with second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and related charges, police said.
Several of Robinson's relatives went to court Thursday, saying he is innocent. Prosecutors asked for him to be held without bond, but the judge allowed him to be released to home confinement, saying he is not a threat to the community. He will be allowed to leave home for work, cannot be around children and must be home by 6 p.m. every day.
He has no prior criminal record.
“I think about her every day and night," said Nychelle's father, Neil Pettus, before the court hearing. "She was my heart. She was my little queen.”
Police are asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to call them at 301-516-2512. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or submit a tip through the P3 Tips mobile app. Police say tipsters should refer to case 23-0031356.
