Roxbury woman pleads not guilty to second-degree murder in 3-year-old stepson’s death
A Roxbury woman accused of brutally beating her 3-year-old stepson to death pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder Wednesday morning, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.
Marie Buie, 23, was ordered held without bail following her arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court, authorities said.
In March, Buie was charged with assault and battery of a child in connection to the death of Kenai Whyte and turned herself in to police. A month later, a grand jury returned a second-degree murder indictment against Buie in the case. She’s been held on $100,000 bail since her initial arrest.
Police responded to Buie’s Alpine Street home on the night of January 31 and found Kenai unresponsive. The toddler was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead three days later.
“Through this investigation, it has been established through interviews with witnesses who observed and interacted with the child that the victim was in good physical condition during the days leading up to the 911 call,” ADA Craig Iannini said in a statement. “The investigation specifically showed that the victim appeared to be in good health, was acting normally, and was free of any injuries up until arriving home at 23 Alpine Street with his stepmother, Maria Buie.”
The Office of the Medical Examiner determined Kenai’s death to be a homicide caused by “blunt impact and acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck,” Iannini said. Pathologists also noted that the toddler suffered from a fractured vertebra in his neck, retinal bleeding, bruising around both ears as the top and back of his head, a contusion and bruises on his forehead, scratches on his torso, and a laceration to his penis, authorities said.
“The investigation has determined that Maria Buie was the sole person to have custody, care, and control of Kenai Whyte at the time he received his injuries,” Iannini said in the statement.
Buie’s attorney has denied her involvement in the boy’s death.
“She has helped raise him since he was a baby,” Sam Zaganjori told The Boston Globe in April. “She has never hurt him and did not commit the acts of which she is accused. She is not guilty and is prepared to fight the charges against her.”
The state’s Department of Children and Families had an open case with Kenai’s family at the time of his death. The DA’s office and Gov. Charlie Baker have called for an internal investigation of the department’s handling of the case.
She is due back in court June 21.
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