Aunt, Boyfriend Charged In Toddler's Death

2-Year-Old Dies At Kosair Children's Hospital

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A 2-year-old boy who was on life support at Kosair Children's Hospital died Thursday afternoon, and Metro Police have charged two people with murder.

Detectives believe that the alleged abuse occurred at an apartment complex on Holly Park Drive.

The boy's aunt and her live-in boyfriend are at Metro Corrections.

"The child was in the temporary, voluntary custody of an aunt and a live-in boyfriend," said Lt. Barry Wilkerson of Metro Police.

Nereida Allen, 22, is accused of assault, criminal abuse, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her live-in boyfriend, Joshua Peacher, 23, is facing the same charges.

After the child died, Allen and Peacher were both charged with murder.

Investigators said that around 2 p.m. Wednesday, EMS took a 2-year-old child to nearby Saints Mary and Elizabeth hospital, but the child wasn't there long.

"The injuries were severe. Enormous amount of bruising on the body. I believe they realized the child's best interest was that the child would be transported to Kosair children's hospital," Wilkerson said.

According to arrest records, once at Kosair, the boy showed no signs of neurological activity and was placed on life support.

Wilkerson said Allen and Peacher admitted the injuries occurred when they disciplined the child, including striking the boy in the head so hard it caused bruising.

"She said the child was throwing fits and that's the common version of why they said they disciplined the child," said Wilkerson.

Wilkerson said the boy was with his aunt because there are issues with the child's mother, but he would not elaborate.