A DeKalb man charged with fatally beating his fiance’s 2-year-old son in 2012 was found guilty of murder.
In addition to murder, Devin Sawyer was convicted Friday of first degree child cruelty, aggravated assault and three counts of aggravated battery for the Nov. 24, 2012, beating death Michael Weeks Jr., the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said.
Weeks' mother, Danielle Calhoun, was out running errands at the time of the child's death.
Sawyer said he called 911 when Weeks didn’t wake from an afternoon nap. According to a police report, Weeks suffered from cardiac arrest, and an autopsy later showed that the child had injuries to his pancreas, liver and fatal lacerations to his heart. Coupled with the bruises on his torso and thighs, the child’s injuries were consistent with child abuse.
“No amount of prosecution can replace the loss that young Michael’s family must continue to endure,” DeKalb DA Robert James said. “Our children are our most precious resource. We hope this verdict gives them some comfort in knowing that justice was done.”
Sawyer has not been sentenced yet.
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