Mother, Boyfriend Charged After 7-Year-Old's 'Suspicious' Death

Authorities have charged a N.J. mother and her live-in boyfriend in connection with the death of a 7-year-old child, prosecutors say.

On Monday, police charged Khadejrah Rawls, 28, of Newark with endangering the welfare of her son, Michael Moore Jr. Authorities also charged her boyfriend, Christopher Spearman, 29, of Newark with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said.

"[Rawls and Spearman] were charged based on injuries sustained by the child," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose stated in a joint news release.

Newark police and medical personnel responded to a North Munn Avenue home on a report of a "medical emergency" around 9:54 a.m. on Sunday, authorities said.

The "unresponsive" child was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:36 a.m. that day, police said.

Authorities told NBC 4 the boy was found unconscious with broken bones in a bathtub.

According to police, four other children, all younger than Moore, and three pit bull puppies were also found in the home. All have been removed; the children are in the care of child protective services.

Autopsy results have not been finalized by the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, and the cause of death is still pending, authorities said Monday.

An investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Photos: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

With reporting by Kara Seymour and Eric Kiefer