Father, Stepmother charged in Lake, Mississippi 3-year-old’s death

LAKE, Miss. (VDN) — A father and stepmother have been charged after a 3-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death in January and buried in Lake, Mississippi, according to Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee.

The child had not been seen or heard from by extended family members since January. At the time, he was living with his father, Rodkis Fenderson, and stepmother, Kierra Patrick, but had not been reported missing.

According to WDAM, Fenderson and Patrick initially gave authorities conflicting accounts of the child’s whereabouts. On Friday, Fenderson led deputies to the child’s burial site, resulting in the arrests of both him and Patrick.

Fenderson has been charged with murder. Patrick was charged as an accessory after the fact.

Authorities say the child was allegedly beaten to death on Jan. 26.