Navin Jones.Photo:Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home

Navin Jones, an 8-year-old boy who died in Peoria, Illinois last year after being physically abused and neglected by his parents

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home

During the second day of testimony at an Illinois father’s ongoing murder trial, a forensic pathologist said the defendant’s 8-year-old son weighed 30 lbs. at the time of his death, which prosecutors allege was due to his parents starving him.

Brandon Walker, 41, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his son, Navin, the reports say. On March 29, 2022, Navin was found unresponsive at his family’s Peoria, Ill., home and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to a press release from the Peoria Police Department.

Youmans testified that the boy died of chronic malnutrition and physical abuse. The pathologist added that she observed bruises on his body in various stages of healing and said due to muscle atrophy, his mobility would’ve been limited at the time of death, the outlets report.

Navin’s mother, Stephanie Jones, 37, pleaded guilty last week to one count of first-degree murder as part of a plea deal,WPBGreported, citing Peoria County court records. Her sentencing is set for February 2024.

Brandon Walker and Stephanie Jones.Peoria County Jail

Brandon Walker and Stephanie Jones, parents of Navin Jones

Peoria County Jail

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If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com