A long-standing south-side eyesore felt the blows of the wrecking ball Tuesday to make way for housing to help young adults who have aged out of the foster care system.INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man beat a 3-year-old girl to death after she smeared feces across an apartment while saying “Papa, I hate you,” prosecutors said in court documents charging the 21-year-old man with murder.
Jose Cruz was formally charged Friday in a Marion County court with the murder of Carmen Ellis, who authorities say was his girlfriend’s daughter. Carmen died Wednesday, a day after police were called to the home. She had been placed on life support for severe injuries including extensive bruising, bleeding from the brain and blunt force trauma.
A probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors Thursday said Carmen was being treated by medics and was unresponsive when officers arrived. Medics and physicians at the hospital where she was taken told police the girl had extensive injuries.
Court documents claim Cruz told police he became enraged when the child soiled herself and then spread feces and urine all over the apartment, saying she hated him. He told police he beat the child with a leather belt and shook her until she began vomiting and having seizures.
Cruz’s attorney declined to comment on the case.
His next hearing is Nov. 14.
