The mother and aunt of a 17-year-old charged in the fatal shooting of a Brunswick toddler have been arrested on charges that they lied to authorities, police said Tuesday.
Karimah Elkins, 36, the mother of 17-year-old De’Marquise Elkins — charged in last Thursday’s killing — and her 33-year-old sister, Katrina Elkins, were reportedly more forthcoming after they were booked into the Glynn County jail.
Glynn County police chief Matt Doering told the Associated Press the siblings provided information that led investigators to a small pond where they recovered a handgun. He said the gun was being tested to determine if it was the weapon used to kill 13-month-old Antonio Santiago last week.
Police said the toddler was shot to death in a stroller his mother, Sherri West, was pushing on a street near their apartment on Brunswick’s south end. West told police De’Marquise Elkins demanded money, then shot her in the thigh and her child in the head.
West identified Elkins as the shooter from a photo lineup. Dominique Lang, 15, is also charged.
Both Elkins’ mother and aunt have substantial criminal records. Karimah Elkins was only 18 when she was convicted of aggravated assault, according to public documents. Ten years later, in 2005, she was convicted of theft by shoplifting.
Her sister, Katrina, served two stints in prison for shoplifting and financial identity fraud. On Saturday, she stated that her nephew was at her home having breakfast when Antonio was shot.
“We arrested them last night and brought them back to headquarters, where we afforded them the opportunity to make additional statements,” Doering told the AP on Tuesday. “They did, and that information led us to other witnesses … (who) led us to an area where the gun was disposed of.”
Doering would not provide details on the false statements the women allegedly made.
Karimah Elkins was released on $1,104 bond, but her sister is being held on a probation violation charge in Henry County, where she faces misdemeanor traffic offenses.
—Angel K. Brooks contributed to this report.
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