TIPPECANOE COUNTY — A Lafayette mother has been found guilty of beating her 3-year-old son to death last year.
A jury convicted Crystal L. Cox guilty on all counts against her in the July 2021 death of the toddler, Zeus Cox, according to the office of Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington.
They include one count each of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, aggravated battery, and battery with death to a person under 14 years old, online court records show.
Prosecutors allege Crystal Cox and her boyfriend, Jermaine I. Garnes, murdered Zeus Cox by beating him, causing him blunt force traumatic injuries all over his body.
An autopsy found Zeus Cox died from injuries to his kidney, including small intestine ruptures, rib fractures and intestinal bleeding.
The boy was found dead by Lafayette police when they responded about 8:50 a.m. July 5, 2021, to the 1200 block of Howell Street for a report of a child not breathing. He was lying dead on the floor of a bedroom.
PREVIOUS | Lafayette mother and her boyfriend charged with murder in 3-year-old's beating death
Officers observed bruising on Zeus' chest, stomach and other areas of his body, according to a court document.
A forensic pathologist found the bruises on Zeus' body were recent and were not consistent with CPR, being whipped with a belt or falling down, as Garnes and Crystal Cox initially described to officers,
According to charging documents, a man described as Garnes's mentor told police Garnes had a drinking problem. When also said when he met up with Garnes the day of Zeus' death, Garnes admitted to beating the child with a belt and "ended up making a comment to the effect that he thought he did" kill the 3-year-old.
Crystal Cox allegedly told Garnes' mentor that same day that Zeus had called Garnes a name, which angered him, and "he took his anger out" on Zeus. She told the mentor that she believed Garnes killed her son.
Additionally, Garnes' 9-year-old son, who also lived in the home around the time of the incident, told investigators his dad hit Zeus with his fist on July 4 in the living room, while Crystal Cox was present. He also told police Crystal Cox would hit her 3-year-old son, usually with a belt, on other occasions.
Garnes is scheduled to appear before a jury on Oct. 4 in Tippecanoe Superior Court. His charges are the same as Crystal Cox's.
WRTV Digital Reporter Shakkira Harris contributed to this report.
-
NBC says Savannah Guthrie will return to ‘Today’ as mother remains missing
Savannah Guthrie visited “Today” colleagues Thursday as NBC says she will return eventually, while the search for her kidnapped mother continues.
IMPD adds public safety cameras to two downtown intersections
Thanks to funding from Downtown Indy Alliance, public safety cameras were permanently installed at two Washington Street intersections.
Shortridge H.S. students prepare for 'Spelling Bee' opening day
Show dates are March 12 to14 at the Caleb Mills Auditorium, 3401 North Meridian Street. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and children 5 and under receive free admission.
Local water restoration company helps Hoosiers protect homes during heavy rain
Heavy rain has caused flooding and headaches for some Hoosiers, now left with a mess to clean up. WRTV caught up with a water restoration company about ways you can protect your home and your pockets.
