A 25-year-old man in Virginia is facing serious charges after a toddler died under his care. Authorities allege the babysitter violently handled the child during a potty training accident.
Zai-Twond Perry, the accused, was caring for the 20-month-old boy when the incident occurred. According to police, Perry discovered the child playing in his own waste and reacted with anger.
Investigators say he bathed the boy, then gripped him forcefully around the ribs. This action allegedly caused major internal injuries, including broken bones and a liver laceration.
An autopsy revealed bruises on the child’s torso, multiple fractured ribs, and a 3-inch tear in his liver. The report also suggested the toddler suffered internal bleeding and a possible brain hemorrhage—possibly due to being shaken.
After the incident, Perry reportedly sent a message to the child’s mother saying the baby “gotta go.” He later claimed the child slipped in the bathtub, but doctors said the injuries didn’t match that story.
The Newport News Police Department responded to a call on April 5, 2025, at a home on Cedar Avenue. Officers found the boy unresponsive. He was pronounced dead on the spot.
Following the autopsy, the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Perry was arrested on April 24 and charged with second-degree murder and felony child neglect.
At the time of his arrest, Perry was already in custody for unrelated matters. Police described him as a family acquaintance.
The case has shaken the local community and reignited concerns about child abuse and proper background checks for caregivers.
