MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A couple has been indicted for the abuse and murder of their young son, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich announced on December 15, 2011.
According to a police affidavit, the toddler was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in extremely critical condition, Tuesday, June 14, 2011. While at the hospital, 21-month-old Adrian Hickerson was diagnosed with abusive head trauma and was declared brain dead the next day.
Police say, in the affidavit, the child’s mother Sabrina E. Hickerson told investigators the boy was misbehaving and she forced him to exercise as discipline; “smoking” was the word Hickerson used. That is when he collapsed.
Hickerson told investigators that she went into an uncontrollable rage over the boy’s defiant behavior and may have harmed him.
The boy’s father, Gary N. Hickerson, admitted to knowing about the abuse, and not doing anything to stop it.
22-year-old Sabrina Hickerson is charged with First Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Abuse and Aggravated Child Neglect. 24-year old Gary Dickerson is charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Neglect.
If convicted, the couple faces life in prison or the death penalty.
