Legal Guardians Charged in Death of Nine-Year-Old Boy
Published on June 26, 2025
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Sherman Devaughn Jones, 46, and Sampaguita L. Jones, 41, both of Detroit, in connection with the death of a nine-year-old boy. The defendants are the legal guardians of the victim.
On September 19, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m., medics were called to a residence in the 3700 block of Gladstone Street in Detroit for reports of an unresponsive child. Medics transported the child to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The Wayne County Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was Pneumonia.
It is alleged that the defendants neglected and physically assaulted the child, resulting in his death. More complete facts and evidence will be placed on the record in court at the Preliminary Examination in the case.
Sherman Devaughn Jones and Sampaguita L. Jones have both been charged with Felony Murder, Torture, and Involuntary Manslaughter.*
They were arraigned and remanded to jail this morning in 36th District Court before Magistrate William Burton. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for July 3, 2025, and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for July 10, 2025, before Judge Shawn Jacque. Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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