Mom's Boyfriend Charged With 1st Degree Murder Of Boy: Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — A 40-year-old man has been charged with first degree murder for the death of an eight-year-old in October, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release said.

The suspect, Tyrone Covington, is accused of abusing the child with a belt on Oct. 22. The victim's mother who was in a relationship with Covington noticed her son struggled to breath and then became unresponsive, according to authorities.

The victim was taken to Brandon Hospital and then airlifted to John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital. Doctors discovered several large areas of contusions, welts, scarring, and small lacerations on the child's lower back and rear area, investigators said. The boy died a day later.

Autopsy results showed the child's death was caused by blunt trauma, and it was ruled as a homicide.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for Covington's arrest and on Monday, and the suspect was arrested by the St. Petersburg Police Department.

"This was not merely a form of punishment. The excessive beating this child endured ultimately led to his death," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our hearts ache as we investigate this horrific case of child abuse. While no punishment will ever bring this young child back, we hope a first degree murder charge keeps this man where he deserves to be—jail."

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Covington also faces aggravated child abuse charges.