Five-year-old Edward King Lampety Jr. died on April 14, 2023, in Gulfport, Mississippi, from blunt force trauma ruled a homicide. His stepfather, Denzel Jamal Blakely, struck him in the stomach multiple times as punishment for spitting on the floor of his sister's room, with each strike harder than the last. The child suffered internal bleeding, a fractured rib, and lacerations to his liver, right adrenal gland, and left kidney. After the beating, Edward complained of severe stomach pain and began coughing up and vomiting a brown-red substance with mucous. Despite these alarming symptoms, his mother, Lachelle Renae Washington, did not seek medical attention after Blakely told her not to contact medical personnel. The next morning, Washington found Edward unresponsive and cold to the touch. He was pronounced dead at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. Blakely was charged with capital murder and Washington was charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
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 NBC15 article states that "Blakely disciplined him by slapping the child in the stomach multiple times" and "Blakely told police that each time he hit Edward, the next strike was harder." Two other children in the home also confirmed seeing Blakely hit Edward.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The NBC15 article states that "Washington admitted she should have provided medical attention to the child, but Blakely told her not to contact medical personnel." Additionally, Blakely said Edward had complained of stomach pain on April 13 and he told the child "he would take him to the hospital when he could arrange transportation" but never did. The child was coughing up and vomiting a "brown-red substance with mucous" yet no medical care was sought. Washington's charge of "child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm" further confirms 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?
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?
The Sun Herald article identifies "Washington is the mother of the child." The NBC15 article states she was arrested in connection with the child's death. She admitted she should have provided medical attention but did not. She is charged with "child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm." The Sun Herald confirms "both suspects admitted their alleged roles in the child's death."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
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 Sun Herald article explicitly identifies Blakely as "the stepfather" per the coroner: "Washington is the mother of the child and Blakely is the stepfather, Switzer told the Sun Herald." Blakely is the one who inflicted the fatal blows and is charged with capital murder.
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?
Both articles confirm arrests and charges. The NBC15 article states: "Denzel Jamal Blakely and Lachelle Renae Washington were arrested last week in connection to the death of Washington's son." Blakely faces a capital murder charge and Washington is charged with child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.
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
The NBC15 article notes that "Two other children in the home told authorities they also saw Blakely hit Edward and saw blood in the room where he was found," indicating other children were present and at risk. Additionally, the Sun Herald article explains that the capital murder charge applies because it is "a murder committed during the commission of another felony crime," meaning the underlying felony of child abuse elevated the charge. The NBC15 article also notes that Edward's "body was taken to Texas for funeral services," suggesting the family had ties outside Mississippi.
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