CHARGED: 25-year-old Preston Nelson, in connection with death of 20-month-old baby boy



MILWAUKEE COUNTY (WITI) -- A 20-month-old baby boy is dead, and now, his babysitter has been charged.

Preston Nelson



25-year-old Preston Nelson of Milwaukee faces one felony count of first degree reckless homicide in the death of Laderreo Toliver-Burkett. The baby boy died on Friday, January 2nd.

Police were called out to a home in the 5900 block of N. 63rd Street just after 5:30 p.m. Friday for a call regarding a child without a pulse.

At the scene, police spoke with the child's mother.

A criminal complaint filed against Nelson says the child's mother asked Nelson to watch her three children while she worked on Friday. This, after a friend who was supposed to watch the children informed the children's mother that she was sick. Nelson began watching the children around 11:00 a.m., and the child's mother told police around 5:00 p.m. she received a phone call from Nelson -- reporting Laderreo wasn't breathing and appeared to be having a seizure.

Laderreo's mother told police she asked Nelson to call 911, and raced home.

When she got home, the complaint indicates Laderreo's mother asked Nelson what happened, and he said "I didn't touch him."

Laderreo Toliver-Burkett



Police spoke with Nelson, who told them he agreed to watch the children while their mother worked. The complaint indicates Nelson's infant son was also at the residence. Nelson told police that during the course of the day, he had the children lay down while he did some housework.

The complaint says Nelson told police he checked on the children, and found Laderreo gasping for air and seizing. Nelson told police he called the children's mother, and then called 911.

Rescue officials with the Milwaukee Fire Department found Laderreo without a pulse and moved him to an ambulance, where first responders were able to re-establish a pulse. As the baby boy was being transferred to the hospital, the pulse was lost -- and resuscitation efforts began again.

Upon arrival at Children's Hospital, the complaint indicates Laderreo was admitted to the ICU.

The complaint indicates Laderreo's injuries were determined to be consistent with physical abuse.

Preston Nelson was then taken into custody by Milwaukee police.

Police interviewed Nelson, and the complaint indicates he initially denied harming Laderreo in any way. When police described the child's injuries to Nelson, the complaint indicates Nelson said: "I am pretty sure I did shake him" -- saying that he did so in a "playful" manner.

Police then described abrasions and bruises to the child's forehead, chin and chest. The complaint says Nelson admitted to hitting the child "one time" -- saying he hit the child in the back of the head, and the child lost his balance -- falling down and striking his head on the kitchen floor.

Police asked Nelson about a bruise found on Laderreo's chest, and Nelson admitted to pushing the child in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground, according to the complaint.

When asked if there was anything else police needed to know, Nelson told them: "I pushed him in the chest, I hit him in the head, and I shook him in the room," according to the complaint.

Police interviewed Nelson a second time, and the complaint indicates Nelson told police he saw Laderreo push his infant son down. Nelson told police he responded by going over to Laderreo and striking Laderreo in the head with a closed fist, and then striking him in the back of the head twice with an open hand. Nelson then admitted to striking Laderreo with a backhand motion in the chest with enough force to cause him to fly backwards and fall to the floor.

When the boy got up, the complaint indicates Nelson told police he struck the boy in the back of the head with an open hand. Laderreo fell to the floor, and his head hit the floor.

A short time later, Nelson told police he was "playing" with Laderreo -- picking him up and shaking him -- first side to side, and then front to back. Nelson told police he also threw the child into the air and then caught him, according to the complaint.

Nelson told police he left Laderreo on a bed, because he appeared to be going to sleep. A short time later, the complaint indicates Nelson checked on Laderreo and noticed he was having a seizure.

A doctor at the hospital determined Laderreo had suffered inflicted trauma, and "severe child physical abuse," including "massive abusive head trauma" and injury to the brain.

Laderreo was removed from life support and pronounced dead on Monday, January 12th after a second examination determined him to be brain dead.

A Medical Examiner determiend Laderreo died as a result of complications from blunt force trauma to the head. His death was ruled a homicide.

Preston Nelson made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday, January 14th. If convicted, he faces up to 60 years in prison.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe.com account has been established to help pay for Laderreo's funeral costs.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.



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