Cortavius Thompson is facing charges of first-degree murder while engaged in child abuse, officials say.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The trial of a man accused of killing his 1-month-old baby in 2022 is underway in Hillsborough County.
Cortavius Thompson is facing charges of first-degree murder while engaged in child abuse, officials say.
On Tuesday, jurors heard opening statements from the defense and prosecution, as well as testimony from the infant’s mother, Kayvona Lewis, who detailed her relationship with Thompson at the time and text messages between the two, shortly after the incident from three years ago.
Further testimony is expected to take place throughout the trial, including from the medical examiner.
The infant’s death and initial investigation
In December 2022, the sheriff’s office received a call from a local hospital about an unresponsive 1-month-old infant that arrived with upper body trauma. The baby died the following morning from the injuries, even after lifesaving efforts.
Through an investigation, detectives reportedly learned the child’s mother brought her baby to the hospital after she got home from work and noticed the injuries.
The mother told detectives the baby was left in the care of Thompson while she was working. She also explained how she saw her baby during her lunch break, and there were no signs of injuries at that time.
While authorities interviewed Thompson, he reportedly said he was in the bathroom when he heard the baby crying in another room. He went on to tell detectives he picked up the child and “noticed various signs of trauma.”
According to deputies, Thompson said he then placed the baby in the bathtub in an attempt to wake the baby up until the mother got home.
The medical examiner’s office told detectives the baby’s death couldn’t have been an accident based on the injuries after the investigation. The death was ruled a homicide.