Authorities in North Carolina have charged a 72-year-old grandmother with murder after she allegedly beat her 8-year-old granddaughter to death, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, per PEOPLE.
Authorities said the fatal incident happened on Tuesday, adding that the Sheriff’s Office was informed about a juvenile who had been taken to Nash UNC Healthcare’s emergency room with severe injuries. Officials also said the minor was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the 8-year-old juvenile was beaten so severe by the grandmother that she died from the injuries,” the Sheriff’s Office said in the statement. “The child had severe injuries throughout her entire body and head.”
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The suspect, identified as Patricia Ricks, has since been charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony child abuse with serious injury. Authorities said the victim was one of six children that were staying with Ricks at her residence. She was also their legal guardian. In a news conference, Sheriff Keoth Stone said the other children have since been taken into state custody.
“The Grandmother was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where she made no statement,” authorities said. Ricks is being held without bond at the Nash County Detention Center.
