A 3-year-old boy died in Maryland on Sunday, shortly after his mother was reportedly filmed beating him in public.
A Hartford County police officer who was driving in the area reportedly spotted Gloria Hughes, 37, holding her lifeless son and called for backup. The toddler, Jason Garcia, ultimately died at a hospital from a skull fracture, according to WUSA.
A day before the toddler’s death, his father contacted North Carolina police about his son and Hughes heading to Maryland amid a child custody dispute. That day, the toddler was admitted to the hospital for possibly eating a boracic acid suppository, WUSA reported.
Hughes and Garcia were seen leaving the hospital hours before surveillance cameras at Self Storage Plus in Bel Air allegedly filmed her repeatedly slamming his head into the ground. Garcia did not move for more than an hour after that, according to WUSA.
WBAL reported that a resident saw Hughes with a crying baby a day before the slaying. Hughes allegedly told the resident not to worry about it and drove off.
In addition to fatal the skull fracture, Garcia reportedly suffered a road rash on his face.
Hughes is charged with first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. She remains jailed without bond.
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[Featured image: Gloria Hughes/Bel Air Police Department]
