MI - Ethan Belcher, 5, tortured before murder, Detroit, 22 Jan 2023

[imstilla.grandma]

A Detroit couple has been charged with murder, torture and child abuse in connection with the death of their 5-year-old son and abuse of their 3-year-old son, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

The boys' parents, Shane Robert Shelton, 27, and Valeria Lynn Hamilton, 27, both of Detroit, allegedly abused both children, according to a press release from the prosecutor's office.

Ethan Belcher, 5, was pronounced dead Jan. 22 after medics took him to the hospital, according to a press release. Police were sent to the home Ethan was taken from in the 14660 block of Spring Garden Street that same afternoon and saw medics taking Ethan away.

His 3-year-old brother had bruises on his head and face, and was also taken to the hospital for treatment, according to the press release.

Ethan had bruises in the shape of loops on his body and multiple abrasions, indicating an object like a cord was used to make the marks, Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Makepeace said during Shelton and Hamilton's arraignments. Makepeace said he saw photos from the medical examiner that showed gangrene on one of Ethan's toes, which was rotting and black.

Prosecutors: Boy allegedly killed, tortured by parents was beaten, had gangrene in toe

Shane Robert Shelton and Valeria Lynn Hamilton both face charges in connection with the death of son, Ethan Belcher, and for abusing his brother.

www.detroitnews.com

*Theres more. It’s terrible.This one made me cry…

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

more awful from the original link:

other kids in the home told investigators Shelton and Hamilton would beat them and force them to remain in the basement of the house, which was filled with sewage water and feces. Makepeace said calling the home a house was "generous" and described it as somewhere between an abandoned home and a construction site.

...In one text, Hamilton said she would "slam their kids so hard their heads will pop off," Makepeace said.

...Shelton and Hamilton were both charged with felony murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse, torture and conspiracy to commit torture.

 

[MAHBOOBOO]

Freaking nightmare on Elm Street.. here's the house back in Jan 2022.

I understand that Detroit is a struggling city, but most of the houses in that neighborhood are condemned to be destroyed. Those poor kids

 

[steeltowngirl]

His aunt tried to help, filed a police report, tried to get Ethan out of their custody. I’m so sorry Ethan. RIP

Relative: Lincoln Park police knew of prior abuse 5-year-old suffered before his death

“This baby suffered some very severe abuse through his life - and I tried to report it last year," said Ashley Belcher, Ethan's aunt. "I had pictures. I took them to the hospital myself.”

www.fox2detroit.com