Mother, stepfather plead not guilty in death of boy, 7
The mother and stepfather of 7-year-old Roderick “RJ” Arrington on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges related to the boy’s death in December.
Dina Palmer, 27, and her husband, Markiece Palmer, 34, face murder and child abuse charges in the death of her 7-year-old son.
A trial will be scheduled at a later date.
Police said RJ was found unresponsive on Nov. 29 after the Palmers beat and whipped him for lying about reading the Bible.
On Nov. 28, Roundy Elementary school officials suspected RJ was being abused after he said he had difficulty sitting down because of “spankings.”
School officials called Child Protective Services with their concerns, but social workers never responded, and the boy was sent home.
RJ was rushed the next day to University Medical Center, where he died.
According to the medical examiner’s autopsy, there were 53 wounds and marks on RJ’s body, including welts that matched the shape of a belt buckle.
An employee of Child Protective Services was fired in January after a review of the case by Clark County officials.
RJ’s father, Roderick Devon Arrington Sr., last month filed a lawsuit against state and county agencies in his son’s death.
The Palmers remained at the Clark County Detention Center without bail.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.
