National
Filing: Teen Says Mom Killed Her Siblings Found in Freezer
ED WHITE, Associated Press
COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — A teenager told authorities that her mother killed two siblings and forced her to put one of the bodies in the freezer of their Detroit home where both were found by an eviction crew.
Details of death and extreme abuse emerged Thursday as Mitchelle Blair appeared in court, two days after the bodies of a 9-year-old son, Stephen Berry, and 13-year-old daughter, Stoni Blair, were discovered.
Blair, 35, is charged with child abuse, but she could face murder charges when the bodies thaw and autopsies are performed, prosecutors said. Bond was set at $1 million. An attorney hasn’t been assigned.
The Michigan Department of Human Services is taking steps to end Blair’s rights to two other children, a 17-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. In a court filing, the state said the teen described a house of horror, where she and her surviving brother were beaten with an extension cord and piece of wood, hit with a hot curling iron and burned with a clothing iron.
“Blair tortured Stephen for approximately two weeks prior to his death by tying a belt around his neck, throwing hot water on him while in the shower and putting a plastic bag over his head,” the state said, quoting the 17-year-old.
Stephen was “unresponsive” on Aug. 30, 2012, and Blair wrapped his body in bed linen and put him in the freezer, the state said.
Nine months later, Blair became “enraged” when Stoni said she didn’t like her surviving siblings and strangled the girl with a T-shirt and suffocated her with a plastic bag, the department said.
Blair then made the teen “put Stoni in the deep freezer following her death,” the agency said.
The 8-year-old boy also was aware that his sister and brother were killed and subsequently placed in the freezer, the department said.
Medical exams revealed evidence of abuse, including numerous scars, on the children. The teenager said neither she nor her siblings have attended school for two years.
Earlier Thursday, Blair appeared in court on child abuse charges via a video feed from a police lockup. Magistrate Renee McDuffee entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf.
“The charges in this matter are so heinous,” McDuffee said in explaining the $1 million bond.
The state said it investigated allegations of abuse in 2002 and 2005. Blair was referred to counseling.
The state said the two fathers of Blair’s surviving children are unfit to care for them. Together they owe $50,000 in child support and haven’t seen the kids in two to three years.
___
Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteap
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
-
Community3 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
City Government4 days ago
Court Throws Out Law That Allowed Californians to Build Duplexes, Triplexes and RDUs on Their Properties
-
Business3 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
-
Community3 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Community3 weeks ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community3 weeks ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame