Officers were informed by the other children at the scene that Hays had previously been “particularly harsh” with Daxton, often hitting him and putting bruises on him.
Hays and the boy’s mother would physically discipline him, hitting him ‘with a wooden stick on his head, knees, feet, and toes,’ according to one of them, the affidavit said.
The nature of Daxton’s injuries was disclosed in an autopsy that was made public on October 14. The medical examiner came to the conclusion that his death was caused by a lack of oxygen reaching his brain.
Additionally, according to the affidavit, the examiner concluded that the kid had sustained serious injuries that were consistent with “abusive trauma.” According to his autopsy,
The youngster also had “blunt force trauma inconsistent with accidental injury,” scratches and wounds on his body and genital region, and “extensive head and facial contusions,”
