A Boston woman indicted for the murder of her 3-year-old stepson was held without bail after being arraigned Wednesday on murder charges.
Maria Buie turned herself in to police last month and was indicted on second degree murder for the death of Kenai Whyte.
Investigators say back in January, Buie beat the boy just before he was found unresponsive in his father's Roxbury home.
Kenai died in February after being rushed to Boston Medical Center with traumatic injuries.
The chief medical examiner has determined the boy died from blunt force trauma.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Whyte had a fractured vertebra in his neck, retinal bleeding, bruising throughout his head, and various cuts and scratches on his body.
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families confirmed that it had an open case with the family at the time of Kenai's death. Gov. Charlie Baker said a DCF social worker spoke to a "care provider" for Kenai just days before he was rushed to the hospital and was told that the boy was well-fed, clean and had no behavioral issues. Baker and DCF have not identified that care provider.
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Buie faces 15 years in prison if convicted in Whyte's death. She will return to court on June 21.
Leaving Suffolk Superior Court Wednesday morning, Kenai's mother, Ashley Young, told necn all she wants is justice for her son.
