SNOW HILL — A Pocomoke man was charged this week with second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse after his 3-year-old nephew died from injuries sustained while in his care.
Kevin M. Sewell, 27, was formally charged on Monday with second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse stemming from an alleged incident that occurred last Sunday, May 3 at his residence. Sewell had custody of the 3-year-old and when the toddler was returned to his Accomack County, Va. home, he had sustained severe trauma to his head and abdomen along with other injuries.
The child died of the injuries allegedly sustained while in his uncle’s care at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk, Va. Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby said on Wednesday he could not provide much more information about the case as of mid-week.
“While certain details of the investigation cannot be released as this time, the Office of the State’s Attorney can confirm that the child was left in the care of Kevin Sewell, who is the minor’s uncle,” Oglesby said. “It was during this time that the child received multiple injuries that resulted in the child being placed on life support. Ultimately, the child succumbed to his injuries and passed away yesterday afternoon while at the Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughter in Norfolk, Va.”
The charges are the result of a collaborative investigation that included the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Worcester County Department of Social Services, the Worcester and Wicomico Child Advocacy Centers, the MSP Crime Scene Technicians, the Pocomoke City Police Department, the Accomack Police Department and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The maximum penalty for second-degree murder is 30 years of incarceration and the maximum penalty for first-degree child abuse is 40 years. Sewell had a bond review hearing on Wednesday morning and was ordered to be held without bond. He remained in custody at the Worcester County Jail as of late this week.