PA Couple Beat Toddler To Death For Spilling Cereal: DA

ABINGTON, PA — An Abington couple beat a four-year-old child to death in retribution for spilling his cereal, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Lisa Smith, 19, and Keiff King, 26, both of the Willow Grove section of the township, face aggravated assault and attempted murder charges in connection with the incident.

The beating occurred at some point earlier in the day on Monday at their residence on the 1800 block of Lukens Avenue, authorities said.

After the victim, Tahjir Smith, spilled his breakfast cereal, his mother along with her boyfriend chased him into the back room of the house, near the couch, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The abuse began when they made Tahjir get in "the position," which was described to police as similar to the pushup position, for an indeterminable length of time. When Tahjir's knee slipped, Smith laid him on the bed and King began to strike his buttocks with a sandal, the affidavit states.

At some point, King also struck the boy on the back of the head. Around this point, Tahjir began to grow unresponsive, but the abuse continued, according to authorities. They placed him in the shower and turned the water from hot to cold, even though Tahjir's lips were "moving weird," police said.

When Tahjir's eyes began to roll in the back of his head, they carried him outside to the area of Coolidge and Columbia avenues and called 911, according to authorities.

"This is the face of domestic violence," said DA Kevin Steele in a statement. "We...will be the voice of justice of Tahjir."

An autopsy performed by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office revealed further damage, including older fractures in the boy's rib, injuries which occurred long before his fatal beating on Monday.

Furthermore, police said the state of the home was deplorable, and was infested by insects and roaches.

Both King and Smith were sent to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after they failed to post $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 31.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office