A 71-year-old woman, one of two people accused of killing a 3-year-old Georgia boy on Easter Sunday, has been arrested in connection with his death, according to authorities.
Barbara Edwards was identified by police as a babysitter for the toddler, Armani Lyons, who was fatally shot at an apartment in Atlanta on April 5, WAGA-TV reported.
The evening of Monday, April 13, Edwards was arrested on charges of cruelty to children, murder, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with his death, the Atlanta Police Department announced in an update on Tuesday, April 14.
Another person, 35-year-old Jermaine Hardeman, also faces the same charges in the boy’s murder, according to police, who said Hardeman was not in custody as of April 14.
It was not currently clear whether Edwards or Hardeman had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.
Before Edwards’ arrest, Armani Lyons’ grandmother, Trinetta Julian, made a public plea to Edwards and Hardeman while speaking with WSB-TV.
“Just turn yourself in,” Julian said. “Turn yourself in, please.”
Armani was killed weeks before what would have been his fourth birthday on May 3, according to a GoFundMe page created by Dinisha Lyons in support of funeral-related expenses for Armani.
“Our sweet Armani was taken from us far too soon due to senseless gun violence … Armani was full of life, joy, and innocence — a bright light who brought smiles to everyone he met,” the page reads, in part. “No family is ever prepared for a loss like this.”
Edwards had been babysitting Armani on Easter while his parent had been working, Atlanta Assistant Police Chief Carvan Tyrus said at an April 6 news conference, according to Atlanta News First.
“Somehow, that 3-year-old ends up with a gunshot wound to the head,” Tyrus told news outlets.
After Atlanta officers responded to the April 5 shooting, the toddler was taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance, according to police.
He was declared dead at the hospital, police said.
On Sunday, April 12, the Atlanta Police Department announced “investigators were able to establish probable cause and obtain arrest warrants” for Edwards and Hardeman.
A potential motive for the fatal shooting was not specified by law enforcement.
“Rest peacefully, baby Armani,” the GoFundMe page says. “You will forever be loved and never forgotten.”
Julian told WSB-TV that her grandson “still should be here.”
“That’s my baby,” she said while speaking with the TV station.
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