COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pair of 19-year-olds arrested in connection to the death of a 4-year-old child have been indicted on two-dozen total charges, including murder.
According to court documents, Linwood Allison Jr. and Kailee Smith-Parks are each facing a single count of murder and aggravated murder in the death of Ja’Kai Smith, who was reported dead on April 10 after police were called to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
An investigation was initiated because of “suspicious circumstances related to the death,” which was ruled a homicide after Allison was allegedly seen on camera causing fatal injuries to Ja’Kai at a residence on Steinway Drive. Police also said Smith-Parks had reason to believe the child needed immediate medical attention, but she failed to seek help.
The court indictment also includes 22 charges of endangering children, two allegations per suspect, every day, between March 21 through April 10. Each count indicates that Ja’Kai suffered injuries from possible torture, corporal punishment or physical restraint or abuse in a cruel manner and excessive manner that created a substantial risk of serious physical harm.
Franklin County court documents also stated that Smith-Parks was the child’s mother. She and Allison are scheduled to appear in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for an arraignment hearing on Wednesday. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.
Franklin County Children Services issued a statement last week, which read in part that in March a concern was raised with the family about neglect and case workers were working with the family to investigate and understand the concerns. The case, which did not include concerns of physical abuse, was still open at the time of Ja’Kai’s death.