Teen charged with murder of 2-year-old in Mankato
A 2-year-old boy who died nearly two weeks ago was killed by a 16-year-old boy, according to charges field in Blue Earth County Juvenile Court.
The teen was arrested near his Mankato home Wednesday on the 500 block of N. 5th Street. He's been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at a secure juvenile facility.
Warning: This story contains upsetting details.
The 2-year-old victim was found unresponsive by a relative April 16 on the 300 block of Eastport Drive in Mankato. The child was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato and was pronounced dead.
According to the Mankato Free Press, which obtained a copy of the juvenile petition, the 2-year-old suffered multiple injuries to his head, chest, back, legs, and other parts of the body that were "consistent with physical blows to the head and a sexual assault."
The child's mother told investigators that she left her toddler home with the 16-year-old and a 12-year-old girl, and it was the 12-year-old girl who called her to report the 2-year-old wasn't breathing.
The 16-year-old gave police inconsistent stories about when he arrived at the home, according to the newspaper.
No further information has been released.
