PITTSBURGH, PA — A suburban Pittsburgh mother is facing criminal homicide charges in connection with the death of her 3-year-old son.
Legomau Malu, 23, of Penn Hills, already was facing aggravated assault charges related to injuries inflicted on the boy.
The Allegheny County Police said Monday that the charges were upgraded after police consulted with the county medical examiner’s office and the county district attorney’s office.
Last Wednesday, county 911 was notified of a child not breathing in the 300 block of Dorothy Drive. The child was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The hospital’s initial examination revealed the boy showed obvious signs of physical abuse, including multiple healing and active bone fractures.
According to police, through witness interviews it was determined that Malu physically abused the child on multiple occasions.
The child’s father, Adam Chirico, 32, was charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the child’s death.
Both Malu and Chirico are in the county jail.