A Tennessee man was arrested for whipping his 6-year-old child to death with an extension cord, police said.

>> Read more trending news

Memphis police said Donald Rich, the child's stepfather, called 911 after the child "began to throw up and became unresponsive."

The incident happened Wednesday.

The child was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition and was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Medical staff told police the injuries were both new and ones that had healed from previous incidents.

Rich admitted to whipping the child with a belt and extension cord, police said.

He is facing charges of aggravated child abuse.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Retired Army Lt. Col. Raquel Durden, who was named Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year, rode in the Georgia Veterans Day Parade in Midtown Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. In 2018, the Bogart resident cofounded a nonprofit for female veterans and first responders called Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga. It brings them together for walks, workshops and retreats, helping them form friendships, avoid isolation and practice mindfulness. “God just picked me up,” said Durden, a cancer survivor, “and put me on a different path.” (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport domestic terminal on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, the first day of the Federal Aviation Administration cutting flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com