Death Of 2-Year-Old From Minneapolis Ruled Homicide

MINNEAPOLIS — The May 4 death of a 2-year-old from Minneapolis was ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office on Sunday.

Ona'Je Prince Sincere Jackson died of complications of multiple blunt force injuries, authorities said.

The toddler's mother — Navonna L. West, 25 — currently faces charges of two counts of malicious punishment related to her 4-month-old son. Charges have not been filed in the death of the 2-year-old.

On May 4, Minneapolis police were dispatched to a home on a report of a child not breathing. At the scene, the mother was attempting CPR on child "A," according to the criminal complaint. He was later taken to the hospital, where he died. The child was later identified as Jackson.

Officers noticed numerous injuries on child A’s body, including bruising and scratches, authorities said.

After examining child A, police brought in his four-month-old brother, child "B." The child had bruising on the left side of the body, scabbing, possible chemical burn, possible burn marks, blood in the right eye, scarring across the bridge of the nose between the eyes, and the loss of pigmentation on the side of head leading up to both eyes, according to the criminal complaint.

After she was told that Jackson died, West claimed the injuries to both of her children were from them being sick, authorities said.

Three witnesses reported seeing West strike Jackson, police said. Another witness reported seeing the boy eat cigarette ashes, which West found funny, according to the criminal complaint.