Police Charge Man With Murder For Beating Death Of Young Child
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a 24-year-old Northwest, D.C., man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with the domestic violence beating death of a 1-year-old Maryland girl that occurred during the evening hours of Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Northwest, D.C.
According to D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, shortly after 10:45 p.m., members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call report a baby girl in cardiac arrest at a residence located on the 3700 Block of Connecticut Avenue in Northwest, D.C.
Police Officers Find Baby Girl In Medical Distress
Upon arrival, Police Officers and First Responders found a 1-year-old girl, later identified as Journee Moore, 1, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, inside the residence in medical distress. The child was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where, despite life-saving efforts, the baby child succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Medical Examiner Determines Child Was Killed
On Sunday, September 29, 2024, following a post-mortem examination, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia determined the Cause of Journee’s Death to be multiple blunt force trauma injuries and the Manner of Death Homicide.
During an ensuing investigation conducted by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, Detectives determined that during an alleged domestic incident, Wayne Blake, 24, of Northwest, D.C., injured the child inside the residence, resulting in her death. Following the investigation, Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Blake was located and taken into custody pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant and formally charged with one count of first-degree Murder; Felony Murder; and Cruelty to Children. Blake was processed on the charges and was remanded to the D.C. Central Detention Facility, pending future court proceedings in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
