HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 02-20 Toddler found beaten to death in Maplewood was a 'happy baby' PIONEER PRESS t
Toddler found beaten to death in Maplewood was a'happy baby' - TwinCities.com Page 1 of 2
Toddler found beaten to death in Maplewood was a 'happy
baby'
Updated:02/17/2015 04:31:39 PM CST �E� � Q 2015 TwinCities.com
� The toddler who was beaten to death in Maplewood last week had been "just
'� ���; � a normal, happy baby," a family friend said Sunday.
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� �- ��4� "It's terrible; I'm just speechless," Amy Thao said. "She shouldn't have to go
. � V ��:� ���
� � ; through what she did."
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�-��� ��,� �^������t� � Genesis Xiong, who was 17 months old, was found dead Thursday, when
�co�f�resyo� Maplewood police responded about 11 a.m. to a report of a baby not
Ramsey Counfy
sr�errrt&#s2��s breathing in the 2500 block of North Barclay Street.
office)
The Ramsey County attorney's office charged Leb Mike Meak, the boyfriend
of Genesis' mother, with second-degree murder Friday.
Amy Thao, a friend of Genesis' mother, started a GoFundMe site to raise money for the girl's
funeral. Thao lives in California and last saw the girl, whose nickname was Gena, during the
summer.
Genesis' mother, Lia Lee, and Meak were together for about a year, though Lee's friends
had known Meak for the past few years and didn't see signs of trouble, Thao said.
A relative of Meak's said Sunday that his family was also surprised that Meak had been
charged with murder, describing the 35-year-old as "low-key and humble."
Meak's family is in sorrow over the loss of an innocent life, the relative said.
Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said people want to believe in the best in others, but
added, "I have to believe that along the way there were signs that there could be problems."
"If there's a lesson for all of us, I think it's that any tim� there might be concerns about the
welfare of a child, it's worthwhile that we report it," Schnell said Sunday. "It's confidential.
Sometimes it might be nothing, but it might be an opportunity to provide intervention or
services. In some cases, it might save a life."
Court records show Meak pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in 2011, stemming from a
2010 Maplewood case in which he was originally cited fc�r misdemeanor domestic assault.
The charge was dismissed a year later after Meak met the conditions of his probation, which
included undergoing domestic abuse counseling/treatment and obtaining a GED and
employment, according to a court record.
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Toddler found beaten to death in Maplewood was a'happy baby' - TwinCities.com Page 2 of 2
On Thursday, police were cal)ed to the Maplewood home and found Genesis unresponsive
in a bedroom. During attempts to revive the girl, officers discovered black and purple bruises
covering her chest and stomach, according to the criminal complaint.
Meak, who is not Genesis' father, told police that Lee lives in Farmington and "works a lot,"
so the little girl stayed with him and he took care of her, according to the complaint.
"He thought that the bruises on her torso happened when he kind of'roughed her up (a) little
bit' while changing her diaper or telling her to stay still while getting her bottle," the complaint
said.
Preliminary autopsy findings showed multiple external and internal injuries to Genesis' head
and abdominal region. Semen was found on Genesis' genital area, the complaint said.
Police are continuing to investigate the possibility that the girl was sexually abused, Schnell
said.
Lee has other children who were staying with her, Schnell said.
Meak has two children of his own, ages 8 and 12, who lived at the Maplewood home, though
they weren't there when police were called on Thursday, Schnell said. The police chief said
they were placed in protective custody.
Schnell said Sunday that it's premature to talk about whether Lee could face charges.
"I think at this point we still have a lot of questions. We have a lot more investigation to do,"
he said.
Lee couldn't be reached for comment Sunday.
Thao said her friend is mourning the loss of her little girl. When Thao talked to her Friday,
she said Lee had been crying and unable to eat or sleep.
HOW TO HELP
To donate money for Genesis Xiong's funeral, go to gofundme.com/mdgcz8.
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