TAMPA, Fla. – Arayia Hudson, a 37-year-old Tampa woman accused of beating her 4-year-old son to death, will remain in jail until trial. Chief of Major Crimes John Terry successfully argued against granting her bond on charges of first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse.
A Tampa Police detective testified that Hudson confessed to repeatedly hitting the boy and slamming his head into the wall after he made a mess in the bathroom.
The victim’s 9-year-old sibling reportedly witnessed the beating and stated the boy was “almost unconscious” after being kicked and hit. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be blunt force trauma.
Read: One Year Later: $25,000 Reward Offered In Yitzian Torres Garcia’s Tampa Homicide
Initially denying the abuse, Hudson later admitted to striking the child multiple times and using makeup to hide bruises. Her other children described being forced to restrain the victim while their mother beat him.
“The facts of this case will make anyone’s stomach churn. This defendant stole the life of an innocent child, and we will make sure she is held accountable for this horrific crime. This young boy’s family should be planning for him to begin kindergarten, not planning his funeral. We will make sure this defendant doesn’t have a chance to hurt another innocent child again,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.