Man will now face murder charge in toddler’s death

CLEVELAND (AP) — A Cleveland man charged in the death of a toddler he was caring for will now face a murder count, authorities said.

Ronald Hicks Jr., 25, initially was charged with felonious assault following the death of 2-year-old Ryan Mounts earlier this month. He was due in court Monday to be arraigned on the upgraded charge, and it wasn’t clear if he’s retained an attorney.

The toddler was among a group of children Hicks was caring for at a city home on June 11, authorities said. Hicks called 911 to report that he had found Mounts unconscious with a plastic bag over his head, and the child died the next day at a hospital.

Doctors later determined the boy had multiple injuries, including a fractured neck and head trauma, and determined that they could not have happened as the result of an accidental suffocation, authorities said.

No other children in the home at the time were injured. Authorities have said the group included two of his girlfriend’s children and two of his own, but they have not provided further details.