MARCUS SIMS JR. - 2 yo - Foreman AR

Foreman man arrested for death of toddler son


Marcus Sims (Source: Little River County Sheriff's Office)

Marcus Sims, Jr. (Courtesy: Shay Riley)

FOREMAN, Ark.
(AP) - A 21-year-old Arkansas man is in jail after police arrested him
on suspicion of second-degree murder in the death of his 2-year-old son.

The Texarkana Gazette reports (http://is.gd/FYEzkg
) that Marcus Ray Sims was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near
Foreman. He's accused in the death of his son, Marcus Sims Jr.

Authorities say the boy's grandmother called
911 in January to report that the child was not breathing. Authorities
say the child was pronounced dead when emergency responders arrived.

An autopsy shows that the boy suffered major
internal bleeding and a broken rib. Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir says the
medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

Authorities did not know if Sims had an attorney. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
http://www.ksla.com/story/17585489/foreman-man-arrested-for-death-of-toddler-son

A Foreman, Arkansas family says they were shocked after learning a father was accused in the death of his baby.

Arkansas State Police say 21-year-old Marcus
Ray Sims, Sr. is accused of killing his 13-month-old son, Marcus Sims,
Jr. Velma Burris is the child's grandmother and says she does not
believe Sims killed his son. "They called me and told me it was an
arrest made," says Burris. "And when they told me who it was, that is
what took me into shock. I believe somebody else done it and he is
trying to cover up for them."

Police say Sims is charged with 2nd degree murder in Little Marcus' death.

KSLA News 12 was able to obtain an arrest
affidavit that details the results of an autopsy report from the
Arkansas Crime Lab ruling the death as a homicide. Police say the baby
was staying with Sims in January. In the affidavit, Sims says Little
Marcus was lying on the bed unresponsive with milk coming out of his
mouth. Sims claims Little Marcus choked and he tried to do CPR on the
child.

Little River County Prosecuting Attorney
Bryan Chesshir says Sims' claims are not consistent with the autopsy.
"There was no evidence that this baby choked or it had anything to do
with choking causing this baby's death," says Chesshir. Chesshir says
the autopsy indicated that the child was abused in the past. "Blunt
force trauma to the kidney area is what caused major bleeding and death
in addition to past physical abuse to this baby," says Chesshir. "It
appears that this was done solely by one individual. It appears we are
going to bring the correct person to justice soon."

Sims is scheduled for his first court appearance on April 24th.
http://www.ksla.com/story/17590062/father-charged-in-sons-death-family-shocked