WASHINGTON, DC — A man arrested in connection with the October death of his 5-year-old son is now facing a first-degree murder charge following a months-long investigation and Grand Jury proceedings.
Emergency responders were called to an apartment in the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW on Sunday, October 6, after a report of an unconscious child. Officers from the United States Secret Service were the first to arrive and began CPR. DC Fire and EMS took over emergency efforts, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
The child was identified as 5-year-old Deandre Pettus of Northwest DC. His father, also named Deandre Pettus, 33, was arrested at the scene and initially charged with First Degree Cruelty to Children.
The following day, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the child’s death as undetermined. Since then, detectives from MPD’s Homicide Branch, in coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office, presented the case to a Grand Jury.
On Friday, July 11, the Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Pettus with First Degree Murder–Felony Murder. He was arraigned that same day in DC Superior Court.