Mother Of Slain Toddler Blames Sister For Boy's Death

Mother: 'I Trusted Her With My Son, And She Killed Him'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A 2-year-old has died at Kosair Children's Hospital from multiple injuries, and the boy's aunt and her boyfriend are charged with his slaying.

According to the coroner's office, the injuries to Christopher James Allen were consistent with a beating.

Mother Jeanette Allen said she mistakenly entrusted her sister with her son's life.

"I go to the hospital to find out my son is brain dead," she said.

Jeanette Allen had agreed to give temporary custody to her 22-year-old sister, Nereida Allen, earlier this week. Child Protective Services determined the condition of her home wasn't clean enough for the boy.

"I mean, literally Monday, took him out of my house Monday, and he's in the hospital by Wednesday, and he's been beaten from Monday to Wednesday," she said.

On Friday morning, Nereida Allen was arraigned for murder, assault and criminal abuse. She is also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Joshua Peacher, is also facing a murder charge.

Not-guilty pleas were entered for Nereida Allen and Peacher. Both were assigned public defenders and ordered held on $500,000 bonds.

They reportedly told police they had disciplined the boy because he was throwing fits.

"You don't hit a child because they are crying," Jeanette Allen said. "You don't hit him because he's throwing a tantrum. You don't do half the [expletive] she did."

Nereida Allen and Peacher live on Holly Park Drive, which is where police believe the assault occurred.

The child had been taken by EMS to Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital Wednesday afternoon. Because of his condition, then transferred to Kosair Children's Hospital, where he was placed on life support.

"OK, I had pulled the plug because I know he's not going to get any better and he died in my arms because of her," Jeanette Allen said. "I trusted her with my son, and she killed him."