Former pro-boxer charged in toddler's 2011 beating death

HILO, Hawaii - A former professional boxer has been indicted by a Hilo, Hawaii grand jury in the 2011 beating death of a toddler.

Xavier "Pee Wee" Cortez Jr., 38, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 18-month-old Pomaikai Ferreira. Cortez's trial is scheduled for June 2.

Pomaikai was taken to Hilo Medical Center on Jan. 2, 2011, with breathing difficulties. She was transferred to Honolulu's Queen's Medical Center, where she died. An autopsy showed injuries due to repetitive abusive head trauma, authorities said.

At the time, Cortez was living with the girl's mother. He initially was arrested but released pending further investigation.

Police said a tip led to his re-arrest Tuesday at his Mountain View home. He was ordered held on $1 million bail and pleaded not guilty, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.