East Flatbush Man Killed Neigbor's Child, Faces Life In Prison: DA

BROOKLYN, NY — A 29-year-old East Flatbush man has been indicted on second-degree murder and kidnapping charges after he beat and drowned his neighbor’s three -year-old child back in March, the Brooklyn District Attorney announced Monday.

Kevin James was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on Monday. He is also facing manslaughter, assault and luring a child charges, prosecutors said.

On March 17, the mother of three-year-old Denim Brown left him in the care of James’ stepfather – who frequently babysat the boy, according to prosecutors. The 29-year-old man then lured the child into a vacant apartment next door and killed him.

At about 9:30 p.m., the 3-year-old boy was found face down in a bathtub full of water inside a vacant apartment down the hall, prosecutors said.

The child, who showed signs of being severely beaten, was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, prosecutors said.

"Denim Brown was an innocent child whose life ended in unthinkable violence, allegedly at the hands of this defendant. We are determined to see that this defendant is held responsible for this crime. Our hearts are with the boy’s mother and loved ones as they grieve this horrific loss,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.

Further investigation found James’ credit card inside the vacant apartment where the boy’s body was found, prosecutors said.

The medical examiner concluded that Brown’s cause of death was drowning, with a contributing factor of blunt force trauma to the head and body.

James faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charges, prosecutors said.

His next appearance in court is June 20.