Edmond man faces charges in boy’s death
CrimeSuspect told police he was play fighting with tot
BY NOLAN CLAY
Published: October 31, 2009
A man who had just moved in with his girlfriend in Edmond is being blamed in a first-degree murder charge for her 2-year-old son’s death.
Rico Antwoine Berry, 24, used unreasonable force on the boy Oct. 13, prosecutors allege in a charge filed Thursday.
Jolen Babakhani died from head injuries at a hospital Oct. 14.
Berry told police he moved in with his girlfriend at the Rolling Green Apartments on Oct. 12.
Sara Babakhani, a
Langston University student, said her boyfriend was watching Jolen while she was in classes. She told police the boy had been sick a few days before and she didn’t want him in day care.
Police reported Berry gave conflicting stories. He first said nothing out of the ordinary happened, then claimed the boy fell downstairs and finally said they had been play fighting, a police detective reported.
"Rico admitted to picking Jolen up by the neck with his right hand and then body slamming him three times on the couch. Rico said that he also ‘boxed’ with Jolen and the boxing caused the bruising on Jolen’s forehead. Rico said he also pushed Jolen down by pushing on his head and Jolen hit his head on the coffee table once,” the detective reported.
Berry was being held Friday in the
Oklahoma County jail. Police said Berry and the boy’s mother had been in a relationship since December. He has been on probation since April for burglary.
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