Gruesome Allegations of Torture, Drowning, and Prior Abuse Surface
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A D.C. grand jury has indicted a father on first-degree murder charges in connection with the October death of his 5-year-old son, Deandre Pettus Jr., marking a disturbing turn in a case that initially began with child cruelty charges and unanswered questions.
The boy’s father, Deandre Pettus Sr., is now formally accused of torturing, cruelly beating, and ultimately drowning his son in a squalid apartment on Connecticut Avenue NW. The indictment alleges the murder occurred on or around October 6, 2023.
Cause of Death Still Undetermined
While the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not officially determined a cause or manner of death, the grand jury’s decision to indict Pettus Sr. underscores the severity of the evidence prosecutors have gathered.
Pettus Sr. was arraigned last Friday on the new charges and remains free on personal recognizance, meaning he was not held in custody following his court appearance.
Witness Accounts and Allegations of Torture
According to court documents, a witness told police that Pettus Sr. admitted to punching his son before making a 911 call. Initially, Pettus reportedly claimed that the child had fallen after running into a wall. However, the same witness told police that Pettus later confessed to fabricating that story and instead admitted to beating the child.
The witness also recounted seeing Pettus strike the child on previous occasions, raising concerns about long-term abuse. These allegations paint a grim picture of the final days of young Deandre’s life.
Disturbing Living Conditions
The horror of the alleged abuse was compounded by the environment in which the child lived. Court documents describe the Connecticut Avenue NW apartment as being in extreme disrepair, filled with filth and garbage.
Detectives noted that unsanitary conditions existed throughout the unit, with “large amounts of garbage, clothing, and assorted property strewn about in every room.” The kitchen was filled with stacks of dirty dishes, food remnants, and garbage on the floors. One detective called the home unfit for habitation, particularly for children.
Young Deandre was a student at Murch Elementary School in Northwest D.C., where staff and students have since been devastated by the loss.
Prior Abuse Allegations and Custody History
This was not Pettus’s first encounter with the legal system or D.C.’s child welfare services.
In May 2023, Pettus was charged with assault after a woman reported that he struck her in the face and threatened her with a gun, according to court filings. In response, D.C. Child and Family Services removed Pettus Jr. and his two sisters from his custody.
However, those charges were later dropped for reasons unknown, and Pettus eventually regained custody. The family was under the supervision of Child and Family Services when the fatal incident occurred.
As of now, Pettus has been ordered to stay away from all his children and the woman involved in the previous assault case.
Legal and Community Response
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Washington, D.C., with community advocates and local leaders questioning how Pettus regained custody despite prior assault charges and signs of potential danger.
The D.C. Child and Family Services Agency has yet to publicly comment on the decision to return the children or the effectiveness of their supervision in the months leading up to Deandre Jr.’s death.
Looking Ahead
Pettus Sr. will face trial on the first-degree murder charge, which could carry a life sentence if convicted. Prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on witness testimony, prior incident reports, and evidence gathered from the crime scene.
As the community grieves the death of a young child who should have been protected, many are now demanding greater accountability from both individuals and the system tasked with ensuring child welfare. Meanwhile, a small memorial has been set up near Murch Elementary in honor of Deandre Jr., whose tragic story has struck a deep chord citywide.
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