Man admits biting, striking girlfriend's 13-month-old son, resulting in boy's death

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A 21-year-old Milwaukee man is facing charges in connection to the death of a 13-month-old child. The family has identified the victim as Alonzo Lamar Jr. The accused is James Johnson.

Johnson is facing the following charges: First-degree reckless homicide; Neglecting a child — consequence is death; Two counts of physical abuse of a child (intentional causation of bodily harm).

Milwaukee police were called out to the area near 25th Street and Atkinson Avenue Wednesday night, Jan. 1, in response to a 13-month-old child who was unresponsive with significant bruising to the face. Upon arrival, police found members of the Milwaukee Fire Department performing life-saving measures on the child. The child was pronounced dead.

The baby's mother told police she left her 13-month-old son in the care of her boyfriend on New Year's Day while she went to work.

According to the complaint, officials say the child appeared to have human bite marks on the left arm, back, and leg. Officials also observed multiple bruises and abrasions to the face and head — along with lacerations to the inner cheek. An autopsy concluded that the child died as a result of blunt force trauma and the death was ruled a homicide.

During an interview with detectives, Johnson admitted to biting the child, striking him multiple times in the head with a open hand, and punching him in the leg with a closed fist because he was “crying non-stop for over an hour,” according to the complaint.