Missouri Mother Charged in Young Son’s Death

A 22-year-old southwest Missouri mother has been charged with second-degree murder and domestic abuse for the December death of her 4-year-old son.

KYTV-TV reports Lawrence County prosecutors charged Aurora resident Jade Murray on Thursday in the death of Skylar Bradley, who died at a Springfield hospital Dec. 14 after being transported from Aurora.

An autopsy determined the boy died of a ruptured spleen. An investigator says Murray claimed the boy was not obeying her so she hit him on his rear and back, then hit him even harder after he turned away and caused her to lose her temper.

A probable cause statement says Murray initially lied to investigators about what happened to the boy.

She has not obtained an attorney and was being held on $250,000 bond.