Murder Charges Filed In Death Of 3-Year-Old Eagan Foster Child

EAGAN, MN — Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Zeporia Fortenberry, 31 of Eagan, has been charged with manslaughter and Charles Wayne Homich, 27 (address unknown), has been charged with three counts of murder in connection with the death of three-year-old Zayden Lawson, a foster child in the care of Fortenberry, in June of 2017.

Investigators say June 7, 2017, Eagan police and paramedics were dispatched to a townhome on a report that a three-year-old male was not breathing. The child was found to be cold to the touch and without a pulse. He was transported to Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation in this case revealed that on June 6 while Fortenberry was working the night shift and left her two children, Lawson and his younger brother in the care of Homich for the first time. Fortenberry stated that Homich told her he checked on the children during the night and had to change Lawson’s diaper, authorities said.

The morning of June 7, Lawson was found lying on the floor of his bedroom with dark-colored vomit on his clothing and floor, according to police.

Throughout the day, Lawson told Fortenberry that his stomach hurt, the criminal complaint states. He vomited a couple of times and Fortenberry told police that he was acting lazy, authorities said.

She eventually put him in his pajamas and laid him on a mattress next to her bed. While on the phone with Homich, she noticed he wasn’t conscious or breathing and called 911.

An autopsy revealed his death was due to multiple blunt force injuries.

"The fatal injuries suffered by this little boy are extremely disturbing," Backstrom said in a statement.

Fortenberry appeared on April 12 and bail was set in the amount of $100,000 without conditions ($50,000 with conditions) by Judge Timothy McManus. Her next court appearance is April 25.

Homich was arrested this weekend and he made his first appearance on these charges today. Bail was set in the amount of $1,000,000 without conditions ($750,000 with conditions) by Judge Richelle Wahi. His next court appearance was set for May 9.

Photo of Zayden Lawson via Eagan Police Department

Booking photo of Charles Wayne Homich via Dakota County Jail