Mankato Teen Arrested In Toddler’s Death

A 16-year-old Mankato boy has been charged in a toddler’s murder.

Lee Wayne Young, Jr. was arrested Wednesday outside of his residence on North 5th St, according to a news release from Mankato Public Safety.  Young has been charged with second-degree murder in Blue Earth County Juvenile Court, but prosecutors have filed a motion to have him tried as an adult.

According to a petition, the 2-year-old child was transported to a Mankato hospital on April 16, where he was pronounced dead less than half an hour after officers were summoned to the scene.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled the boy’s death a homicide, noting that the child had significant bruising. The medical examiner determined there were too many contusions to count the number of blows delivered.

Police responding to a different matter on Eastport Dr the day of the child’s death were flagged down outside the home by the victim’s mother, who said her child couldn’t breathe.  The child’s mother and Young’s father, who are in a relationship, told police the injuries were caused by the dogs. Police say the child’s injuries appeared non-accidental and inconsistent with a dog attack.

A 12-year-old girl and Young were watching the child while the adults went to look at a car, according to the petition.  The girl told investigators she had gone outside, leaving Young the child alone for approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Young initially told police he had last seen the victim the previous night but changed his story after police said they had seen him while responding to the nearby service call.