The parents of a 9-year-old Pennsylvania boy found naked, strangled and partially buried behind his home this spring are now charged in connection with his murder, prosecutors announced this week.
Azuree Charles, found dead naked and muddied behind her New Kensington home on May 4, died of mechanical strangulation, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said during a news conference Wednesday.
“This horrific tragedy has shaken the community of New Kensington,” Ziccarelli told reporters inside the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. “The trauma that has affected us all pales in comparison to what Azuree undoubtedly experienced.”
Ziccarelli did not provide further details about the case, citing an open investigation.
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According to an arrest report obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the boy’s body was found naked and covered in mud, partially covered by lawn furniture and a foam cooler. The boy’s pajamas were hanging from nearby branches, the report said.
On Wednesday, the boy’s father, Jean Charles, 40, was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, concealing the death of a child and other crimes in connection with Azuree’s death, Ziccarelli said.
While it was not immediately known what role she may have played in the boy’s death, the boy’s mother, Luella Elien, 29, was charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment in connection with the case.
Azuree’s neighbors told CBS News in May that the boy had just beaten pediatric cancer. Neighbor Osie Taylor, who found Azuree’s body, told the network: “All she does is ride her bike and play with her sister and for something like this to happen to her, it’s unbelievable.”
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Records show Charles was being held in the Westmoreland County Jail without bond Saturday and the boy’s mother was being held on $250,000 bond.
It was not immediately known if any of the defendants had obtained an attorney.
The boy’s parents are scheduled to appear in court for their respective preliminary hearings on October 12.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
