Father charged in son's death, family shocked

LITTLE RIVER CO., AR (KSLA) - A Foreman, Arkansas family says they were shocked after learning a father was accused in the death of his baby.

Arkansas State Police say 21-year-old Marcus Ray Sims, Sr. is accused of killing his 13-month-old son, Marcus Sims, Jr. Velma Burris is the child's grandmother and says she does not believe Sims killed his son. "They called me and told me it was an arrest made," says Burris. "And when they told me who it was, that is what took me into shock. I believe somebody else done it and he is trying to cover up for them."

Police say Sims is charged with 2nd degree murder in Little Marcus' death.

KSLA News 12 was able to obtain an arrest affidavit that details the results of an autopsy report from the Arkansas Crime Lab ruling the death as a homicide. Police say the baby was staying with Sims in January. In the affidavit, Sims says Little Marcus was lying on the bed unresponsive with milk coming out of his mouth. Sims claims Little Marcus choked and he tried to do CPR on the child.

Little River County Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Chesshir says Sims' claims are not consistent with the autopsy. "There was no evidence that this baby choked or it had anything to do with choking causing this baby's death," says Chesshir. Chesshir says the autopsy indicated that the child was abused in the past. "Blunt force trauma to the kidney area is what caused major bleeding and death in addition to past physical abuse to this baby," says Chesshir. "It appears that this was done solely by one individual. It appears we are going to bring the correct person to justice soon."

Sims is scheduled for his first court appearance on April 24th.

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