EXCLUSIVE: Family of 1-year-old killed speak out on murder case
One-year-old Parker Lee Schumacher was found with skull fractures and a damaged brain stem at his Yucca Valley home on February 10. Schumacher was pronounced dead from his injuries on the evening of Feb. 12 at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
The boyfriend of the toddler’s mother, Arthur Thomas Davies, was arrested and charged with murder after hospital staff determined that the child’s injuries were suspicious and notified the authorities.
Karissa Caccavari, Schumacher’s mother, told KESQ & CBS Local 2 she left her son in Davies’ care while she went to the laundry room several steps away from the home. When she returned, the young child was seriously injured.
“It was shocking. It’s shocking when you walk into something like that,” said Caccavari.
Caccavari added, “He never showed signs of being angry like that.”
The results of Parker Lee Schumacher official autopsy report haven’t been filed.
Davies appeared in Joshua Tree court today for a preliminary hearing, but the hearing was moved to September 26. He had pleaded not guilty to murder charges on February 15 and is currently being held on $1 million bail.
Schumacher’s family was emotional after another day in court facing his alleged killer.
“I’m just really tired of the suffering and the pain and him not coming home,” said Robin Belle, a close family friend of Schumacher’s.
Davies’ family doesn’t believe he had any fault in the tragedy His parents say Schumacher was already a troubled child.
“One time he came to the house and told us about the girl that this kid had banged his head against the walls and stuff like that and I told him, “Get out of there before you get yourself in trouble,” said John and Deborah Davies, Arthur’s parents.
Schumacher’s family believes Davies is guilty and they want justice.
“It’s not fair that he’s there and his son’s not. His family still gets to see him and talk to him and that’s something that I’ll never get again,” Caccavari said.
As they wait for the next court date, Schumacher’s family is planning a celebration of life for little Parker Lee who would have turned 2 on September 5.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the child’s injuries included a severed spine. This article has been updated to remove this detail. The child had skull injuries, a damaged brain stem, and other injuries, according to family members.
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