Ohio coroner rules Maryland toddler's death a homicide

COLUMBUS (AP) — A coroner has ruled the death of a Maryland toddler brought to Ohio by his mother a homicide.

Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz says preliminary results of today’s autopsy on 1-year-old Cameron Beckford show he died of blunt force trauma to his chest and abdomen area.

Columbus police found Cameron’s body in a bag in a creek Wednesday.

His mother, Dainesha Stevens, has been charged with endangering children and tampering with evidence. Her attorney says Stevens made up a story about leaving Cameron on a doorstep because she could not care for him and that was her way of asking for help.

A Maryland relative of the toddler is raising funds to pay for his funeral and other expenses.