11-Yr-Old Boy Dies Protecting Pregnant Mother From Knife Wielding Ex-Boyfriend

Last Updated: March 16, 2024, 20:41 IST

Chicago, United States of America (USA)

An 11-year-old Chicago boy died this week while trying to save his pregnant mother from her knife-wielding ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend, Crosetti Brand, 37, broke into the house of the victims in Edgewater, Illinois, after he was released from the prison, Stateville Correctional Center, a day earlier on parole.

Brand is accused of stabbing the boy, Jayden Perkins, in the chest and the 33-year-old woman. The Chicago Police Department re-arrested him. He was serving a 16-year sentence for home invasion and aggravated assault in prison.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Brand forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home and “brutally attacked” the family, according to a report by the New York Post. The 33-year-old mother of two was leaving with her children to take them to school when they were attacked.

11-year-old Jayden Perkins stepped in to shield his mother as she sustained a stab wound in the doorway of their home. His 5-year-old brother was present and witnessed the attack.

Cops arrived on the scene to find both mother and son stabbed “multiple times” and rushed them to the hospital where Perkins was declared dead upon arrival.

The mother was listed in critical condition but authorities told the New York Post that the mother and her baby are expected to survive.

“An innocent child’s life was taken as he tried to protect his mother far too soon and a mother was attacked in what should have been the safest place for her, which was her home,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said.

Brand was captured on video while fleeing and was seen tossing a “silver item” over a fence, which police later found was the bloody knife.

Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti told the New York Post that the mother had a “lifetime” order of protection against Brand and dated him more than 15 years ago.

The deranged ex-boyfriend was charged with one count of attempted murder, home invasion with a dangerous weapon, domestic battery, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felon possession of a weapon, and violation of an Order of Protection. He was paroled last year in October but was rearrested in February after “he threatened the female victim via text” and also “showed up at her home”, Kim Foxx told reporters.

A vigil was held for Perkins on Thursday and locals gathered to celebrate the life of the 11-year-old who died tragically and who was a good student who earned straight A’s in school, consistently made the honour roll, and was involved in cross-country, football, and the arts.