The tragic death of his 4-year Jahorden Clay brought sad and angry family members to court. Portland Police Bureau said officers were called to assist paramedics last Wednesday afternoon at an apartment complex in the 6400 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The child was unresponsive. Marquavious D. Ware pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree criminal mistreatment in the death of his 4-year-son.
Reports back from the medical examiner’s office said the boy died from blunt force trauma. The injuries were so bad that the child’s mother hasn’t been allowed to see his body yet. Jonicia Clay said she hadn’t seen her son since April 7, when she dropped him off with Ware.
The father regularly spent time with the child on the weekends. That particular weekend was different because Ware did not return the child who was to start school. The mother had to go to the police. A relative of the father who was in the apartment said he heard Ware yelling at the boy for sneaking Skittles and later saw Ware washing blood from the boy’s mouth in the bathtub.
Detectives said they found blood on a bed, pillow and bedroom floor. Police also found blood in the toilet and blood and vomit on the bathroom floor, a probable cause affidavit said. The father reportedly wanted custody of the child. The boy had been with his father for about a month.
Families sat on both sides of the tense courtroom. It erupted at the end of the end as the arraignment adjourned. Ware’s younger brother said, “He ain’t no child killer.” People in the courtroom began screaming and pushibg each other. The commotion continued as the crowd went outside. Ware’s next court hearing is scheduled for May 12.
