DOWNEY, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California man was charged with murder in the beating death of of his 6-year-old godson, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
Tyler D’Shaun Martin-Brand, 23, of Downey, appeared in court Monday but didn’t enter a plea to one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death. He was held on $2 million bail and his arraignment was continued to Jan. 16.
Martin-Brand is accused of killing Dayvon Taylor of Long Beach, who was in his care for several days over the holiday.
The child died Dec. 26 at a hospital after allegedly being beaten by Martin-Brand in his apartment.
“It will never be the same without seeing that joyful face,” Virginia Sewell, the victim’s great aunt, said after the hearing, KABC-TV reported.
“If you love someone you just don’t do this. So if he cared for Dayvon you just would not have put your hands on him,” said the boy’s cousin, Tanya Davis.
The boy’s grandfather, David Nicholson, told KABC-TV over the weekend that Martin-Brand told him in a phone call: “I was trying to discipline him.”
If convicted, Martin-Brand could face up to 25 years to life in state prison.
Downey is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
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