Suspect In Fatal Beating Of Boy, 9, Has Court Appearance

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A man accused of fatally beating his girlfriend's 9-year-old son over what police say was a missing piece of birthday cake is bound for court in Hagerstown.

Thirty-one-year-old Robert Leroy Wilson is scheduled for a hearing Thursday afternoon. Deputy State's Attorney Joseph Michael wouldn't disclose the nature of the hearing, and Wilson's public defender didn't return telephone calls.

Wilson is one of three people charged with second-degree murder in the July 5 death of Jack Garcia. Neither Wilson nor the boy's uncle, Jacob Barajas, have entered pleas in the case. Jack's mother Oriana Garcia has pleaded not guilty.

Barajas told police he handcuffed Jack, and Wilson beat him unconscious, as punishment for stealing. Police say Jack's mother allowed the abuse and delayed treatment by sending away an ambulance.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)