Couple Beat 5-Year-Old Boy To Death, Sentenced To 25-Life: DA

BRENTWOOD, NY — A man and woman were sentenced on Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison for beating the woman's 5-year-old son to death in 2021, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

In March, a jury found Valerie Owusu, 28, and Emmanuel Addae, 28, of Corona, Queens, guilty of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, before Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski.

According to the investigation, from March 30 and April 1, 2021, Owusu and Addae, who were a couple, brutally beat King with multiple instruments in their apartment in Lefrak City, Queens, the DA said. They reportedly watched King’s physical condition deteriorate for about three days until the boy lost consciousness, the DA said.

During that time, Owusu and Addae neglected to call 911 or attempt to provide any medical care to the child, the DA said.

On April 1, Owusu and Addae brought the child to a family member’s home in Brentwood, where he died, the DA said. After another family realized he was dead, they called Suffolk County police who transferred the child to Southside Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the DA said.

According to the DA, the medical examiner who conducted the child’s autopsy testified that King was beaten from head to toe, and that he died from the injuries, which were too numerous to count.

"The jury has spoken, but unfortunately, that will not bring back this young boy," Tierney said. "Notwithstanding such tragedy, this case highlights our resolve to protect the innocence of every child in Suffolk County and to bring accountability to those who would dare harm them."

Owusu was represented by Rene Myatt, Esq., and Addae was represented by Raymond Baierlein, Esq. They were not immediately available for comment.