Nickaiya Walker is mourning the death of her 1-year-old twin girl, Ky’meria German. A 25-year-old male from Florida named Deric Young has been arrested in connection with the case, according to Tallahassee police. He has been charged with murder in the death of German, who he was babysitting.
He was taken into custody after Tallahassee police were called on June 23 and informed of a one-year-old child in the 1700 block of Saxon Street not breathing. According to the department, officers tried to save German’s life when they got to the house in southwest Tallahassee. However, according to WCTV, she was declared dead at a hospital.
As the investigation into the 1-year-old’s death began, police stated that they “quickly uncovered signs of foul play.” German was left in Young’s care before her passing because the child’s actual babysitter—her mother’s cousin—went to work.
RELATED STORIES
READ ALSO: Babysitter accused of killing non-verbal 3-year-old girl with scalding water sentenced
According to Young’s arrest document, which WCTV was able to get on Wednesday, Young sobbed immediately before confessing to investigators that he had repeatedly punched the infant.
Authorities said an autopsy revealed that the infant “had suffered severe injuries, including multiple strikes to the head with a closed fist that ultimately caused the child’s death.” German’s twin brother was there in the room when the alleged abuse occurred but was unharmed, officials said.
Walker felt devastated when her daughter’s autopsy results were announced. Young claimed in the probable cause affidavit that smoking marijuana made him want “to play” with the infant.
“You had to put your hands on her,” the grieving mother told WCTV. “She was an innocent baby. She didn’t deserve that at all. She didn’t deserve nothing.”
The Tallahassee mom added, ”My baby didn’t deserve that. She was a sweet baby. She was sweet. She was a sweet baby. Why would you harm an innocent baby? She didn’t mean no harm at all.”
Walker said that her 14-month-old daughter was just beginning to speak, loved to eat, and liked the color pink, but those are all gone now.
READ ALSO: Man charged with shooting Taco Bell worker during dispute over change
Although Walker acknowledged that both sides of the family have been supportive, she explained she is still processing the loss of her daughter.
“Many people loved her,” Walker explained. “[The cousin and Young] could have just called me. Y’all could have just called my mother. Y’all could have just called anybody and a family member to get her.”
The child’s family has already created a GoFundMe campaign to cover the baby’s burial expenses. They have raised more than $6,000 since then.
Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date, but a balloon release ceremony is arranged for June 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Jack L. McLean Jr. Park.
Meanwhile, Young, who had been scheduled to appear in court on June 25, did not show up. But that same day, WCTV reported, he was designated a public defender.
The next day, he still failed to appear in court and a judge proceeded with the hearing, denying bond for Young. He was also not permitted to contact the victim’s mother or family.
Two of Young’s family members attended the June 26 hearing. One of the family members attempted to speak on Young’s behalf. However, the judge advised them to think about what they were going to say, as their remarks “may put him [Young] in further jeopardy.”
The next hearing is scheduled to occur within the next five days.
READ ALSO: New York mother shocked after her ring camera captures babysitter abusing her child
