Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Khadejrah Rawls, 28, and her live-in boyfriend Christopher Spearman, 29, both of Newark, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of seven-year-old Michael Moore, Jr.
Earlier in the week Spearman was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child and the mother was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Today, the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. As a result, the charges against the two have been upgraded to aggravated manslaughter.
The child died from multiple blunt impact injuries, according to Assistant Prosecutor Amber Loughran, who is handling the case.
Bail is now set at $750,000 for Rawls and $1 million for Spearman.
According to police, officers and medical personnel responded to the North Munn Avenue home on a report of a medical emergency on Oct. 2, at approximately 9:54 a.m. The unresponsive child was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:36 am.
Four other children, ranging in age from two months to six years old, and three pit bull puppies were also found in the home. The children are in the care of the state Child Protection and Permanency CP&P, formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services( DYFS).
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.