For The Second Time In A Little Over 5 Years, Baltimore Man Is Charged In Death Of Child

A Baltimore man on probation for the death of his 7-month-old son in 2013 has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend's son.

Francois Browne, 35, of Woodbourne Heights, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the death of 18-month-old Zaray Gray, who died with a broken clavicle and internal injuries last week, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Police were called on July 18 when the child’s mother came home and noticed her son wasn’t breathing. She called 911 and performed CPR on the boy. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

When investigators questioned Browne, he said Zaray bumped his head and back coming down a slide at the playground, according to WBAL-TV in Baltimore.

However, there were noticeable injuries all over the boy's body. After a medical examination, it was determined that internal injuries are what caused the toddler's death. There was severe bruising on the forehead, waist, chin, neck and mouth, authorities said. He had cuts and tears to his bowels, likely caused by blows to his stomach area. Bruises were consistent with finger marks and there was a broken clavicle, WBAL-TV reported.

Browne said Zaray kept throwing up when they got back from the playground. He said the boy wouldn't stop moaning, according to charging documents cited by WBAL-TV. The medical examiner later said the boy was throwing up from trauma and not playground injuries. Browne denied hurting the boy, according to WBAL-TV. He was charged with murder, and he’s being held without bail.

Browne was previously convicted of child abuse resulting in death in 2013. His son, 7-month-old Kendall Browne, died from fractured ribs and brain bleeding, according to the Baltimore Sun. Browne was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but he only served 2 years and 11 months before being released and put on probation.

[Photo: Baltimore Police Department]