One-year-old Justice Starks died on December 1, 2022, from multiple blunt force trauma to the head while in the care of 37-year-old LeRoy Metoyer III, described by prosecutors as a friend of the child's mother who was babysitting her, though the father claims he was the mother's boyfriend. Metoyer initially told police he fell down the stairs while holding the baby, but the medical examiner found this explanation impossible given the extent of her injuries, which included brain swelling, bleeding behind both eyes, bruises all over her body, and third-degree burns on one hand. The child was treated at DMC Children's Hospital but died approximately two days after the incident. Metoyer was charged with one count of felony murder and one count of first-degree child abuse by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The medical examiner report (MI_22_2225.pdf) states the child was "Found beaten" and the cause of death was "Multiple blunt force trauma." The WXYZ article further details injuries including "blunt force trauma, bleeding behind the eye, behind both eyes" and "third-degree burns on one hand." The FOX 2 article states prosecutors say "the 37-year-old was babysitting Justice when he assaulted her." These all clearly indicate inflicted injuries.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
While the specific term "abusive head trauma" or "shaken baby syndrome" is not used, the described injuries are characteristic of abusive head trauma. The WXYZ article reports "blunt force trauma, bleeding behind the eye, behind both eyes" and the FOX 2 article quotes the father: "Her brain was swollen, covered in blood." The cause of death was "multiple blunt force trauma to the head." Bleeding behind both eyes (retinal hemorrhages), brain swelling, and blunt force trauma to the head in a 1-year-old ruled a homicide strongly imply abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The FOX 2 article states: "Prosecutors say the 37-year-old was babysitting Justice when he assaulted her." Although the father disputes the "babysitter" characterization, claiming Metoyer was the mother's boyfriend, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office officially describes his role as babysitting the child at the time of the assault.
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The FOX 2 article states "Prosecutors say the 37-year-old was just a friend of the baby's mother, but Jenerius claims he was her boyfriend." The father is quoted: "A hired babysitter that wasn't no babysitter it was her boyfriend." Whether classified as a friend or boyfriend, LeRoy Metoyer III was a male paramour or friend of the child's mother who is charged with killing the child.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The FOX 2 article states: "The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says 37-year-old LeRoy Metoyer III has been charged with one count of felony murder and one count of first-degree child abuse. He was arraigned and remanded to jail on Saturday." The WXYZ article corroborates: "A Detroit man is behind bars tonight accused of killing a 1-year-old baby, Justice Starks."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. First, the WXYZ article reports that the suspect "told police he fell down the stairs while he was holding baby Justice" but "the medical examiner found his explanation to be impossible based on the extent of her injuries, including third-degree burns on one hand." The presence of third-degree burns on one hand suggests additional forms of intentional abuse beyond the beating, as burns are not consistent with a fall or with blunt force trauma alone. Second, the father's insistence that "there's more to the story" and his belief that the suspect was the mother's boyfriend rather than a hired babysitter raises questions about the caregiving arrangement. The father stated: "There was no situation where he should have even been caring for my daughter. She has grandparents. She had me. (There) was available people that loved her."
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