Mother arrested for beating her 14-year-old son to death after he failed to do his chores

In a harrowing case that has shocked a Seattle community in the United States, a 14-year-old boy has died following a relentless hour beating allegedly inflicted by his mother, Denaya Young.

The horrible incident unfolded on January 30, 2025, when the 29-year-old mother discovered that her son had not completed his assigned chores.

Idaho Statesman reported Young confronted her son about his failure to clean the kitchen, and the argument escalated from the previous night, as the boy had similarly resisted doing household tasks.

The mother allegedly shoved her son against a wall, leading him to hit his head and fall unconscious.

While he lay on the floor, she reportedly grabbed an extension cord and continued to beat him for approximately an hour.

The publication reported that boy's stepfather was at home during the horrifying incident, alongside three younger half-siblings, who were likely witnesses to the tragic events that transpired.

Meanwhile, NDTV News reported that the woman claimed that she hit her son until she lost count and stopped when he became unresponsive. 

She called 911 to report the incident.

It was said the boy was found unconscious and was later declared dead at a local hospital.

According to the broadcaster, Young admitted that she went “too far''.

“I just kept swinging the cord, I should have listened, but I kept saying you’re gonna stand up and do your chores and he was like mom I’m dizzy, I can’t do it, and I thought he was faking,” Independent News quoted her telling police.

The severity of the assault was underscored by the findings of the medical examiner, who documented an astonishing 1,172 separate injuries across the boy's body. These injuries spanned his head, neck, ears, torso, arms, and legs, with experts concluding that he succumbed to blunt force trauma.

Young was arrested and is currently held at the King County Jail.

During her court appearance, NDTV News reported that her attorney, Zelena Jones argued for her release, citing the trauma she experienced from losing her son. 

"I know of the seriousness of these facts, but this also involves a mother losing her son and the significant trauma she is experiencing from that.

"I will also argue there would be additional trauma on top of that if she is incarcerated. Given her limited history, the fact it appears she cooperated with law enforcement, and the fact that she has very limited resources, she should be released," Jones was quoted as saying.

However, it was reported that Judge Jill Klinge sided with prosecutors, who requested a $3 million bail (over R55 million) for Young's release.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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