By David Lohr
November 2,2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (Crime Library) — Orange County Sheriff's deputies have arrested the godmother of Levares Key on charges of child abuse and child neglect. Detectives say Sandra Annette Blackmon, 43, who raised Levares for most of his life, had abused the 8-year-old boy prior to his death.
Levares's mother, Tangela Key, 34, gave her son to Blackmon when he was four and a half months old. Key took the child back when he was 11 months old, but then returned him shortly after his 1st birthday. Levares remained in Blackmon's custody from then until June, when his mother picked him up for a visit and resumed care of him until his death.
According to the Orange County medical examiner, Levares died of a closed head injury. Evidence of preexisting injuries in various stages of healing was found on his body, including at least 30 scars on his backside. Blackmon's arrest affidavit states, "Levares was a chronically battered child."
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Sandra Blackmon |
In October, Blackmon allegedly told detectives that she hit Levares on several occasions over the last four years, until the boy went to live with his mother.
"Sandra Blackmon admitted to leaving approximately thirty linear permanent marks on Levares' butt and back after she 'whooped' him," the affidavit reads. "She also said her brother (Stacy Allen) 'whooped' Levares and left an estimated ten permanent marks on his body."
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