The Maryland father accused of beating his infant son to death, burying his body and keeping his death a secret for weeks has been indicted.
Antoine Petty was indicted Wednesday for the first-degree murder of 2-month-old Antoine Flemons. Petty was also indicted on child abuse and assault charges.
“To kill a child, especially your own child, is the worst thing someone can do and we intend to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.
Police say Petty punched the baby in the torso repeatedly Sept. 21 to stop him from crying. Eventually the baby began bleeding and lost consciousness.
Petty and his wife, 24-year-old Geneice Petty, then placed the infant in their 1998 Lincoln Town Car hearse for more than 24 hours before burying the boy behind Parkdale High School to hide the crime, police said.
The parents kept the baby's death a secret for over three weeks before the infant's grandmother reported her daughter and 2-month-old grandson missing.
Detectives found Geneice Petty and 32-year-old Antoine Petty Oct. 18. They led detectives to a shallow grave in Riverdale where the baby's remains were located.
Antoine Petty is being held without bond. Geneice Petty appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday and probable cause was found to continue moving forward with the accessory after the fact charge she is facing.
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Prosecutors has until Dec. 19 to indict Geneice Petty or reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.
