Abuse, malnutrition killed boy, 10, while in the care of father, stepmom:Crown

BRAMPTON, Ont. – Crown lawyers say physical abuse, malnutrition and infection killed a 10-year-old boy who died in the care of his father and stepmother.

Kelly Slate says autopsy results found “injuries on top of injuries” and clear signs of infection on Shakeil Boothe’s emaciated body.

Boothe was found dead on May 27, 2011, in a Brampton, Ont, home.

His father, Garfield Boothe, and stepmother, Nichelle Boothe-Rowe, are charged with second-degree murder.

Garfield Boothe was originally charged with failing to provide the necessities of life but that charge was later upgraded to second-degree murder.

Nichelle Boothe-Rowe was previously facing a manslaughter charge.

Slate said the boy was an “obviously sick, malnourished child” at the time of his death.

“Shakeil did not get to that state overnight.”

Boothe and Boothe-Rowe “had an obligation to care for their 10-year-old son once he came to Canada,” she said.

Instead, Shakeil, who left Jamaica to live with his father in search of a better life, died within two years of his arrival.