Services held for Atwater infant found dead; parents charged in the death

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A somber Tuesday day successful Merced arsenic loved ones remembered an babe lad whose beingness was taken conscionable 4 months aft it began.

"He was a blessed baby. He was truthful cute. We were truthful blessed to person him," Lakisha Carmon, Devonte's great-godmother, said.

Family members picture Devonte arsenic the airy of their lives.

"We hadn't had a babe astir successful a while, truthful this was similar a blessing," Carmon said.

Atwater Police accidental the 4-month-old was recovered dormant successful an flat the greeting of January 23.

Court documents authorities preliminary findings from an autopsy included bleeding to Devonte's caput and injuries successful and retired of his mouth, but his authoritative origin of decease has not been determined.

In the weeks pursuing the tragedy, Devonte's father, 20-year-old Maleek McIntyre and mother, 19-year-old Jasmine Polk, were arrested and jailed, facing kid maltreatment and execution charges.

McIntyre has not yet entered a plea to the charges, portion Polk has pleaded not guilty.

"She is not a babe killer; she has intelligence issues that are documented," Carmon said.

The infant's parents remained down bars arsenic household and friends gathered astatine Second Baptist religion to mourn and retrieve babe Devonte.

While prosecutors blasted the parents for Devonte's death, Polk's household says her lack adds to their pain.

"It's truly hard due to the fact that to cognize that she is successful jailhouse and to cognize that she can't beryllium present for the homegoing of her kid that she had for 4 months," Carmon stated.

Atwater Police accidental the full concern has been incredibly tragic and privation anyone struggling with the accent of parenting to scope retired for help.

Both Polk and McIntyre are scheduled to beryllium backmost successful tribunal adjacent Monday.

For quality and upwind updates, travel Tiffany Olin connected Facebook, X and Instagram.