MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A judge ruled Friday that a 10-year-old Marion County boy accused of killing his 2-year-old cousin can be released on home detention, but it has not been determined at which facility he will be placed.
Berhaun Blyden is accused of killing his 2-year-old cousin, Journee Blyden. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated manslaughter.
Berhaun will remain in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Attorneys discussed in court the option of Berhaun going to the Heart of Florida if a sufficient safety plan is put in place.
The plan would require him to be shadowed at all times. He would also not be allowed to play unsupervised with anyone younger or smaller than himself, including his younger sister, who was also placed in the facility.
Celeste Snyder, Berhaun's public defender, said the case has been challenging.
"It's tough, but we're doing the best job that we can considering he is a young, immature 10-year-old. He was 9 years old at the time of this event," she said. "We're trying to work with him. We all have children, so we're trying to use all the resources we have to help him."
Investigators said Berhaun originally told them that the toddler's death was an accident, but other family members said they witnessed the boy abusing the little girl.