Indiana Mom Found Guilty of Beating Her Toddler to Death

Indiana Mom Found Guilty of Beating Her Toddler to DeathIndiana Mugshot

Indiana State News by Betty Smith

The mother of an Indiana 3-year-old boy who was beaten to death in July 2021 has been convicted of murder and other offenses.

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After a four-day jury trial, Crystal Lynn Cox was found guilty. Jurors deliberated for an hour and a half before finding her guilty of murder, neglect, aggravated battery, and battery of a person under 14.

According to court documents, police were originally called to Cox’s residence early morning in July 2021, regarding a child who was not breathing. According to reports, an EMT found Zeus Cox, 3, dead on a bedroom floor with bruising on his chest, stomach, and other parts of his body.

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Jermaine Garnes and Cox were both interviewed by police about the bruises. At the time, Cox told police Zeus fell on the concrete, then later said he ran into a table. Garnes told police other stories, including that Zeus had fallen off his bike.

Garnes allegedly beat the 3-year-old with his fist, allegedly "taking his anger out" on the child. One witness even testified that Cox told her that Garnes had killed her son and that she would get in trouble for covering it up.

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The police found a text message from Cox dated June 29 telling Garnes they needed Zeus to wear a swim shirt so no one would see the bruises.

Autopsy results revealed that Zeus died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries to the abdomen. A doctor determined that the injuries were caused by "non-accidental trauma."

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The blows caused the child's intestines to rupture, his ribs to fracture, and he had internal bleeding. Both defendants were charged in connection with Zeus’s death.

There is also a criminal history of neglect and battery charges for Barnes and Cox. Crystal Cox’s sentencing is set for a later date and can carry a sentence of up to 65 years.