WASHINGTON — A Washington, D.C., man has been charged with first-degree murder in the alleged fatal beating of his 5-year-old son, nearly nine months after the child was found unresponsive in a Northwest D.C. apartment.

Deandre Pettus, 34, was arraigned Friday in D.C. Superior Court on charges of first-degree felony murder and cruelty to children in connection with the October 2024 death of his son, Deandre Pettus Jr., federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

According to court records, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW on October 6 at 9:44 a.m. following a report of an unconscious child. U.S. Secret Service officers were first to arrive and attempted CPR on the boy until DC Fire and EMS took over.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pettus was arrested at the apartment that morning and initially charged with first-degree cruelty to children. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled the manner of death as undetermined.

Prosecutors upgraded the charges after further investigation. Pettus entered a plea during his arraignment before Judge Todd Edelman. A jury trial is scheduled for March 1, 2027.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma McArthur and investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

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