A Long Beach couple was ordered to stand trial Wednesday in the beating death of a two-year-old boy.
Authorities have charged 26-year-old Hector Ernest Jr. with murder for the slaying of his girlfriend's son, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Also charged is the dead toddler's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, who stands accused of child abuse.
The pair were arrested after they took the unconscious child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20. Though emergency room staff worked on the two-year-old for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead less than an hour after arriving at the hospital.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges she failed to protect her son, resulting in his death, according to court documents.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces 25 years to life, authorities said.
A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday in which a judge found there was sufficient evidence to hold both Green and Ernest to answer, according to court staff.
The couple are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on July 27 for arraignment.
Authorities have charged 26-year-old Hector Ernest Jr. with murder for the slaying of his girlfriend's son, Deandre Fitzgerald Green.
Also charged is the dead toddler's mother, 22-year-old Cameo Green, who stands accused of child abuse.
The pair were arrested after they took the unconscious child to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on March 20. Though emergency room staff worked on the two-year-old for 45 minutes, he was pronounced dead less than an hour after arriving at the hospital.
Ernest is charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse.
Green is charged with one count of child abuse. The complaint further alleges she failed to protect her son, resulting in his death, according to court documents.
If convicted on all counts, Green faces a maximum state prison term of 10 years and Ernest faces 25 years to life, authorities said.
A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday in which a judge found there was sufficient evidence to hold both Green and Ernest to answer, according to court staff.
The couple are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on July 27 for arraignment.
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