Ohio coroner says Maryland toddler died from blunt force trauma; death ruled homicide

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A coroner has ruled the death of a Maryland toddler who was brought to Ohio by his mother a homicide.

Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz (AN'-ih-hee ohr-TEEZ') says preliminary results of Friday's autopsy on 1-year-old Cameron Beckford show he died of blunt force trauma to his chest and abdomen.

Police in Columbus, Ohio, found Cameron's body in a bag in a creek on Wednesday.

His mother, Dainesha (deh-NEE'-shuh) Stevens, has been charged with endangering children and tampering with evidence. Her attorney says Stevens made up a story about leaving Cameron on a doorstep because she could not care for him and that was her way of asking for help.

Police are holding a male acquaintance of Stevens on unrelated charges as they investigate the circumstances of the boy's death.