ST. LOUIS — Editor's note: some details in this report may be difficult to read.
A man is facing murder and child abuse charges in connection to the death of a toddler in St. Louis last year.
On Sept. 3, 2020, police responded to a call for help and found a 2-year-old boy unresponsive at a home on the 5200 block of Wells in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. The home is a small boarding house, according to a probable cause statement.
The boy was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Syncere Taleeb McCoy.
An autopsy determined the boy's death was due to blunt force trauma to his torso, according to the statement. He also had rib fractures and cuts and bruises to his head, torso, arms and legs.
Doctors examined the boy's twin brother the next day and found he had similar injuries and suffered from Battered Child Syndrome.
Horatio Terrell Harris, 47, was taken into custody in another state last month on unrelated charges, police said. He fled after the death of the boy, the statement says.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office issued at-large warrants for second-degree murder, neglect of a child resulting in death and two counts of abuse/neglect against a child.
A witness told police Harris "violently struck" both boys on several occasions.
Other residents of the boarding house told police they heard what "sounded like grown men striking each other" followed by the boys crying.
Harris is not biologically related to the boys, the statement says.
RELATED: 35 Years of Service: St. Louis Crisis Nursery protects 125,000 children from abuse and neglect
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
- Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to “stabilize inner-city neighborhoods.” One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program. To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
- Life Outside of Violence “helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence.” To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
- The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership between and Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth. To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
- Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/
