NEWS IN BRIEF

Death ruled as homicide

The recent death of 3-year-old James Earl Bradley Jr., a foster child in Van Buren Township, was ruled a homicide last week by medical examiners.

Township police officials continue to investigate the circumstances around the death, which was caused by a blunt-trauma injury to the head, according to the medical examiner’s report.

The incident took place on April 8 at a township home day care on Sadie Lane. Day care operator Christine Woodward told police that the boy was suffering from seizures. He was then taken to Annapolis Hospital, but moved to Mott’s Children’s Hospital where he remained on life support until he died April 13.

Bradley was the foster child of Woodward and her husband, Lasana Karva.

The Michigan Department of Human Services Office of Children and Adult Licensing has suspended Woodward’s day care license because of violations including a violation of the Child Care Organizations Act and rules regarding caregiver and childcare home family and indoor space, according to officials.

Woodward can no longer operate a daycare at her Sadie Lane residence or at any other location because of the suspension. She was licensed for six children and first received her registration in October 2006, according to reports.

Charges have not been filed and police still await autopsy results, officials said. For more information, contact the township public safety department at (734) 699-8930.