HOUSTON – Authorities have released the name of the 4-year-old who died, believed to be fatally harmed inside of a northside apartment. His name is Jhakeel Hawkins.
On Monday, only a few details were released about the boy’s condition, which is now tugging at the hearts of neighbors.
“That is sad, real sad,” said one man who lives in the apartment complex, but did not want to be identified.
Injuries found on body of 4-year-old boy who died at hospital, HPD says
“It’s very suspicious. It’s very sad,” said another neighbor who did not want to be identified.
Houston police said the boy died at a hospital around 5:30 pm Sunday. Houston police said on Monday that the boy had clear signs of trauma throughout his body.
“I never heard anything, never. I don’t even know how they look,” a neighbor said.
Sunday night though, it was clear something was wrong.
“I saw HPD out here last night. I didn’t know that’s what it was for,” said neighbor Robert Medina.
On Monday, KPRC 2 tried speaking to someone at the apartment located at 1303 Gears Road, but no one was home.
Like others we spoke to in the area, Medina says he never noticed much activity at the home.
“I guess they kept to themselves because I never really saw them come out that much, and I been here a long time,” Medina said.
While no neighbor we talked to seems to have known the child or his family, some say they wish they did.
“Just something we could’ve done, I could’ve done. I didn’t know the young kid but just society as a whole, we should be able to put something together to prevent this from happening,” said neighbor Isaac Stephens.
Homicide detectives who were at the home wouldn’t provide any details, but they did say there’s an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-Tips.
Anyone who suspects signs of child abuse can contact Child Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.