Man accused of punching 1-year-old girl to death while her twin brother was left unharmed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) – A Florida man has been charged with murder in the death of a 1-year-old girl he was babysitting, but the baby’s twin brother was left unharmed.

According to Tallahassee police, 25-year-old Deric Young was arrested Tuesday.

He is charged with murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of Ky’meria German.

His arrest comes after Tallahassee police responded to a call Monday reporting a 1-year-old child not breathing in the 1700 block of Saxon Street.

Officers arrived at the southwest Tallahassee home and attempted to save Ky’meria’s life, according to the department. However, she was pronounced dead at a hospital.

As authorities continued an investigation into the 1-year-old’s death, police said they “quickly uncovered signs of foul play.”

Before her death, Ky’meria had been left in Young’s care after the child’s original babysitter, her mother’s cousin, went to work.

Young’s arrest affidavit, obtained Wednesday by WCTV, revealed details from the investigation, including how Young broke down in tears just moments before admitting to investigators that he repeatedly punched the baby.

An autopsy showed that the child “had suffered severe injuries, including multiple strikes to the head with a closed fist that ultimately caused the child’s death,” according to police.

Ky’meria is survived by her twin brother, who was also in the room at the time of the alleged abuse but was unharmed.

She is also survived by an older brother.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Young smoked marijuana, which he said caused him to want “to play” with Ky’meria.

“You had to put your hands on her,” the baby’s mother, Nickaiya Walker, said. “She was an innocent baby. She didn’t deserve that at all. She didn’t deserve nothing.”

Walker said Ky’meria loved the color pink and was just starting to talk. But all that has been taken away.

“Many people loved her,” Walker said. “[My cousin and Young] could have just called me. Y’all could have just called my mother. Y’all could have just called anybody and a family member to get her.”

Walker said she is still coming to terms with the loss of her daughter, and she said both sides of the family have been supportive. She said they plan to follow the criminal case closely.

“My baby didn’t deserve that,” Walker said. “She was a sweet baby. She was sweet … Why would you harm an innocent baby? She didn’t mean no harm at all.”

The child’s family has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for the baby’s funeral expenses.

WCTV contacted the office of the Public Defender, whose office has been appointed to represent Young. As of Thursday morning, they have not heard back.