Las Vegas police arrest woman in connection to Oct. infant death
A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the October death of her 2-month-old son, but her sister says the mother has been wrongfully accused.
Kristina Kerlus was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Friday, according to jail records. She was arrested in connection with the death of Jocai Davis, who died Oct. 7 at University Medical Center. The Clark County coroner’s office on Thursday ruled the death a homicide by blunt force head and neck trauma.
Kerlus’ sister, 22-year-old Demi Kerlus, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Saturday evening that her family believes the mother is innocent. She alleges Jocai was injured two weeks prior to his death at a day care provider, which the 22-year-old said is now closed.
“That was my nephew, and we don’t entirely know what happened to him,” Demi Kerlus said, adding that “there was bruising on his ankles and an open wound” the size of a nickel.
Demi Kerlus said Jocai was injured within the first few days he was being cared for by the provider, and was “just not acting normal” in the weeks prior to his death.
Just before 9:40 a.m. Oct. 5, Las Vegas police and first responders were called to the 5400 block of South Durango Drive, near Russell Road, after a 911 call reporting “a child in physical distress due to a possible near drowning incident,” according to police dispatch logs and records from the Clark County Department of Family Services.
Jocai’s family had no prior history with Child Protective Services, records show.
Demi Kerlus disputed the reason for the 911 call. “He never had a near drowning experience,” she said Saturday.
Demi Kerlus said her sister is a loving mother to her other sons, who are being taken care of by the 22-year-old. Much of Kristina Kerlus’ Facebook page is posts about how much she misses Jocai, Demi Kerlus said.
“She would never ever hurt a fly,” she said, earlier saying that police accusations against her sister are “breaking my heart.”
The 22-year-old said her sister reported the provider to Las Vegas police after Jocai was injured, and that police were investigating. Further information about a possible investigation was not available Saturday.
Attempts Saturday evening to reach the provider named by Demi Kerlus were unsuccessful.
Following Jocai’s death, both Metro and the Department of Family Services opened investigations into the infant’s death, as is protocol for child fatalities. Demi Kerlus said police were investigating both of the infant’s parents, although as of Saturday evening, Kristina Kerlus appeared to be the only person arrested in connection with the infant’s death.
On Friday, Metro spokeswoman Alejandra Zambrano said the department’s abuse and neglect team declined to release more details about Jocai’s death, citing an open investigation.
Kristina Kerlus faces charges of murder and child abuse or neglect, Las Vegas Justice Court records show.
She made her initial appearance in court Saturday morning, where her bail was set at $100,000, with the condition she have no contact with children “in accordance with CPS directives” if released, court records show. Demi Kerlus said many people showed up to the court appearance in support of her sister.
“How would over 20 people show support for someone who would hurt a baby?” Demi Kerlus said.
More details surrounding Krstina Kerlus’ arrest were unavailable Saturday.
She remained in the detention center Saturday evening, court records show.
A status check in the case is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
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Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.
