Racine man charged with first-degree reckless homicide in death of 22-month-old
Wisconsin Court System RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Jordan Keith, 28, has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of 22-month-old Joriel Ramirez-Rodriguez, known as Jori, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, June 2 in Racine County.
Jori was taken to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine on Monday, May 18 and airlifted to Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where he died on Wednesday, May 27 from what doctors described as a traumatic brain injury. Medical staff reported a brain bleed, brain swelling, retinal hemorrhages and bruising in multiple areas of his body, according to the complaint.
Investigators said the bruising pattern was not consistent with what comes from an accidental injury but was consistent with physical abuse.
The complaint says Keith was home alone with Jori and his brother for around 20 to 30 minutes on May 18, the only window during which investigators say the injury could have taken place based on the medical timeline. Keith reportedly first denied being alone with the children, but the complaint says he later admitted otherwise.
An interview with Keith's 5-year-old son from a prior relationship, referred to within the complaint, describes his father as "very angry all the time" and gestured in a manner that investigators interpreted as depicting a child being slammed against a wall.
The case has been referred to the Racine County District Attorney's Office.
