Man charged in death of 5-year-old
A Madison man has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide is the death of a 5-year-old.
A criminal complaint released Wednesday said Brayden Turbill’s mother, Shannon, found the boy in the basement of a Sun Prairie home on Oct. 22 not breathing and with bruises and marks on his chest. He died Oct. 24 from his injuries. The complaint states that Turnbill died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Dakota Black, Turnbill’s boyfriend, was scheduled to be in court Wednesday on the reckless homicide charge, but the case was delayed as the state appoints him a new public defender. Investigators said Black was the only adult home with Turnbill before he was found injured.
Black allegedly claimed Brayden came home from school and asked to go see a friend, then came home a short time later and said he wanted to go lie down. Investigators say Black says he never checked on Brayden again.
When asked how Brayden got hurt, investigators say Black first said, “I don’t know but the way he is… on my watch.” Then when asked what that meant Black said “whatever happened on my watch…I am responsible,” according to the complaint.
A cousin of Brayden on his father’s side said they believe the boy’s death could have been prevented.
“We want the right people to go to jail that need to go to jail,” said Christine Stone, a cousin of Anthony Turnbill, Brayden’s father. “As a family we’re strong and we’re there for each other.”
Family of Dakota Black who were in court Wednesday declined comment, but previously told WISC-TV they do not believe Black was responsible for Brayden’s death.
Black was held on a probation hold until Wednesday’s charges.
Black’s initial appearance was rescheduled for Friday.
