JAMAR HARRIS - 1 yo -(2010) Chicago/South side IL

A 1-year-old boy who died Saturday of blunt force trauma was the
victim of child abuse, according to an autopsy by the Cook County
medical examiner's office. His death was ruled a homicide.Jamar
Harris had been taken from his South Side home to the University
of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital early Saturday unresponsive
and with bruises on his body, including his abdomen, Chicago police
said.He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:07 a.m., the
medical examiner's office said.Chicago police said Jamar was
being watched by his mother's boyfriend, who told investigators that the
boy fell down the stairs.An investigation was ongoing
Saturday night, Officer Darryl Baety, a police spokesman, said.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating
allegations of abuse and neglect in the death of a 17-month-old South
Side boy Saturday.

Jamar Harris, 17-months-old, became unresponsive at his home in
the 7100 block of S. Yates Blvd. and was pronounced dead at 2:07 a.m. at
University of Chicago Comer's Children's Hospital, according to the
Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

DCFS is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, although they
have not had prior contact with the family. Another child in the home is
now in the care of relatives, DCFS spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said.

Sources said the boyfriend of Jamar's mother was watching the baby and
called 911 after the baby allegedly fell down the stairs. The boy had
bruising on his abdomen area and also bruising on his arms and a cut to
the mouth, sources said.

Officers responded to the hospital at 1:46 a.m. and Calumet Area
detectives are conducting an investigation pending the results of the
autopsy, police said.

Jamar died of multiple blunt force trauma and child abuse, according to
an autopsy completed Saturday by the medical examiner's office. His
death is ruled a homicide.

A man who has a history of battery arrests and is suspected in the
death of a South Side baby boy found dead with multiple traumas turned
himself in to police late Saturday morning.Jamar Harris,
17-months-old, became unresponsive at his home at 7135 S. Yates Blvd.
and was pronounced dead at 2:07 a.m. Saturday at University of Chicago
Comer’s Children’s Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical
Examiner’s office.Sources said the boyfriend of Jamar’s mother
was watching the baby and called 911 after the baby allegedly fell down
the stairs. The boy had bruising on his abdomen area and also bruising
on his arms and a cut to the mouth, sources said.The
22-year-old live-in boyfriend initially declined to go to the hospital
with the baby or talk to detectives, police said. Officers responded to
the hospital at 1:46 a.m.About 11 a.m. Saturday, he turned
himself in to Calumet Area detectives, 727 E. 111th St., allegedly
telling police he hit Jamar, police said. The man has a criminal
history that includes arrests for unlawful use of a weapon and
misdemeanor battery.Jamar died of multiple blunt force trauma
and child abuse, according to an autopsy completed Saturday by the
medical examiner’s office. His death is ruled a homicide.DCFS
is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, although they have
not had prior contact with the family. Another child in the home is now
in the care of relatives, DCFS spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said.The
other child is Jamar’s 3-year-old brother, police said.Police
believe there were multiple instances of abuse to the child, including
punching.The mother -- who is pregnant with the man’s child -- was at work at the
time of the incident and is cooperating with police. Jamar is not the
man’s child, police said.Calumet Area detectives are investigating.

Darnell Thomas Charged with One Count of Murder in Death of 17-Mo.-Old Jamar Harris on Chicago's South Side

Monday, June 28, 2010


Darnell Thomas, who has a long criminal history, charged with one count of murder in the death of 17-month-old baby Jamar Harris on Chicago's South Side.

Why are some women attracted to lowlife men? Darnell Thomas, who has had a history of battery arrests has been charged with the murder of 17-month-old Jamar Harris, whose mother left him in his care. The South Side Chicago boy died of multiple blunt force trauma early Saturday morning, according to the Chicago Sun Times. He has also been charged with abusing the boy's three-year old brother.

Thomas, 21, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of the baby, according to the Sun Times. He has also been charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery for the alleged abuse of the brother. He is expected to appear in Cook County Criminal Court on Monday.

What is reprehensible is that this man has had a long rap sheet that includes arrests for unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor battery. The sad fact is that they often progress to more serious crimes, including murder. Thomas allegedly told the police that the boy had fallen down the stairs. According to the Sun Times, he had bruising on his abdomen area, on his arms and a cut to the mouth.

The mother, who is pregnant, was away at work, but I scarcely believe this was the first time this monster abused this baby and his brother. Why do women continue to have relationships with men who have had long criminal histories? I can understand if someone had one brush with the law that did not include murder or rape of a child, but Darnell Thomas was a ticking time bomb and he capped off a long criminal history with murdering an innocent baby.
http://www.hinterlandgazette.com/2010/06/darnell-thomas-charged-with-one-count.html