Re: Aveion Malik Lewis -- Found Deceased 1/27/10

by FystyAngel on Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:13 pm

I think this is a beautiful photo of the little guy. I hope no one minds that I posted it (large).

Aveion Malik Lewis’s Mom and Stepdad Face Murder Charges
http://www.bloggernews.net/123958
March 2nd, 2010

On January 14, 2010 a report came in about little two year old Aveion Malik Lewis being kidnapped. His stepdad, Brandon Lockett told police that three men broke into his home and knocked him out and took Aveion after tying up his 4 year old sister. He said they left a ransom note demanding $10,000. He even went as far as telling the police that the men took off in a white 1990 Chevy Blazer.

Even though an Amber Alert was issued for little Aveion, police were very skeptical of Brandon Lockett’s story about the baby being kidnapped especially since his mother, Morgan Lockett or Brandon were not very helpful in the investigation. Police Chief Joe Gaskins said, “We had some reservations about the stories that were being told, but considering the child, we couldn’t afford to assume that an abduction had not occurred so we certainly had to work it from the angle that there had been an abduction.”

Eventually Brandon Lockett confessed that the baby was actually dead before he called the police and he just made up the kidnapping story. Lockett was arrested and charged with child neglect, improper disposal of a human body and obstruction of justice but at that time no murder charges had been filed against him.

After a search in landfill’s for the child’s body, the police reported that a body had been found bound and wrapped in plastic at the Smith Gap Landfill on Jan. 27 and they believed it to be that of Aveion Lewis.

Now a grand jury has handed down indictments against Brandon and Morgan Lockett who according to her sister is pregnant now, for murder. It is said that this innocent baby was killed after being abused and neglected by his mother and stepdad for most of his short life. They say Morgan Lockett caused or allowed the baby to be tortured, tormented, mutilated, beaten or cruelly treated and she failed to provide care for his health since January 27, 2007, which is the day after he would have turned three years old, and she is being charged with that and Brandon is charged with the same thing beginning June 1, 2007.

According to Roanoke Commonwealth’s Attorney Donald Caldwell the evidence they have will show that both parents were aware of the abuse even though they will not release a cause of death.

Morgan’s sister, Cara Ward defends her sister’s part in this though, saying, “My sister’s only crime is marrying a deadbeat.” She says if there was any abuse going on her sister didn’t know anything about it.

Little Aveion was born with a medical condition that required him to have to have surgery. They had to remove part of his intestines. By the time he was 14 months old it was reported to Social Services that he was underweight and was being neglected by his mother. After investigating they found the boy only weighed just less than 9 lbs. They removed him from his home in May of 2008 and put him in foster care where he started gaining weight but for some reason they saw fit to return him to the care of his mother where he had been for the four months prior to him being reported missing.

The Lockett’s could face up to 55 years in prison if they are convicted on the murder, abuse and neglect charges. Personally if they are guilty of these charges, I don’t think 55 years each is long enough and they certainly should not be allowed around children anymore, even their own.

This innocent child looked like he was such a sweet little baby. How anyone can hurt a child, I will never understand. There are too many folks out there that can’t have children of their own that would love to have the chance to be parents even to adopted children. If you don’t want them, at least find them a good home to go to instead. Killing them is not the answer. They didn’t ask to be born but they do deserve a chance to a life just as much as any of us do.

Please if you know of any child being abused, report it to the authorities as many times as it takes to save that child’s life. That child may grow up one day and come to you and thank you for saving its life. God bless all the children. Bless their little innocent hearts.

Jan Barrett

by Piper on Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:42 am

This is so terribly sad. He was a sickly child to begin with, with special needs. His "mother" wouldn't even cover his basic needs. "Tortured, tormented, mutilated"....there is no Hell hot enough for these two.

by Julie on Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:05 am

Little Aveion was born with a medical condition that required him to have to have surgery. They had to remove part of his intestines. By the time he was 14 months old it was reported to Social Services that he was underweight and was being neglected by his mother. After investigating they found the boy only weighed just less than 9 lbs. They removed him from his home in May of 2008 and put him in foster care where he started gaining weight but for some reason they saw fit to return him to the care of his mother where he had been for the four months prior to him being reported missing.
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Why, why, why do they put these children back into the homes they were removed from?!!!

by Snaz on Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:47 am

Julie wrote:Little Aveion was born with a medical condition that required him to have to have surgery. They had to remove part of his intestines. By the time he was 14 months old it was reported to Social Services that he was underweight and was being neglected by his mother. After investigating they found the boy only weighed just less than 9 lbs. They removed him from his home in May of 2008 and put him in foster care where he started gaining weight but for some reason they saw fit to return him to the care of his mother where he had been for the four months prior to him being reported missing.
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Why, why, why do they put these children back into the homes they were removed from?!!!

That's partially how the system fails our children. It's broken, and desperately needs to be fixed.... along with the punishment for sex offenders....

by Julie on Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:52 am

Snaz - I agree with you 150%! Our system is decades behind. It really needs updating.

by Justice4all on Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:50 pm

Prosecutors: Aveion Lewis had untreated broken arm, severe burns, severe starvation

By Scott Leamon | WSLS10 Reporter
Published: March 11, 2010

ROANOKE - Before his death in January, 3-year-old Aveion Lewis had a broken arm, severe burns, and was showing signs of severe starvation, according to new information just released from prosecutors in the case.

Aveion’s mother, Morgan Lockett, and step-father, Brandon Lockett, are each charged with second degree murder and two other crimes in relation to the child’s death.

The new information came out during Morgan Lockett’s bond hearing this morning in Roanoke City circuit court.

Lockett told the judge she was pregnant, with the baby due on May 26th.

The judge denied Lockett’s request for bond, primarily because she requested to live with her mother, whom has custody of her three remaining children, ages 4, 2, and the youngest celebrating a first birthday tomorrow.

We’ll have much more on this story tonight on WSLS 10 On Your Side at 6 p.m.

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/prosecutors_aveion_lewis_had_untreated_broken_arm_severe_burns_severe_starv/86693/

by Piper on Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:14 pm

Morgan Lockett should never see the light of day. No matter where she would live if they let her out on bond. And, bringing another child into the world when so many couples would give anything to have just one baby to love and cherish. Reminds me of Antoniette Davis, Shaniya's POS mother. These babies mean nothing to these women, it just infuritates me! Poor little Aveion, the pain and cruelty he had to endure in his short little life.

by Justice4all on Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:28 pm

Mother of Aveion Lewis Denied Bond

03/11/10 12:09 pm
Amy Foster

Roanoke, VA - A Roanoke judge has decided Morgan Lockett, the mother of 2-year-old Aveion Lewis, will stay in jail.

She's charged with murder and two counts of child neglect.

On Thursday morning, the judge denied her request to be released on bond.

Aveion's stepfather Brandon Lockett was indicted on the same charges.

You may recall, he had first told police the child was abducted, before later admitting he made it up.

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0310/715060.html

by Justice4all on Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:31 pm

Aveion Lewis lost weight in care of parents, says prosecutor

Aveion Lewis' weight tripled during a stay in foster care. But he died thin and emaciated, with untreated injuries.

By Mike Gangloff and Amanda Codispoti
The Roanoke Times
Wednesday, March 17, 2010

There was a time in Aveion Lewis' short life when he was a healthy, normal-sized boy.

That was when he was 26 months old. He'd been taken from his mother and stepfather and gained more than 20 pounds in the 11 months he lived with a foster family.

"He was returned a happy, pudgy little boy," Roanoke Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Sandra Workman said in an interview.

Aveion's pudgy period didn't last. In the four months between when Aveion's mom and stepdad regained custody and when the toddler's body was found in a Roanoke County landfill in January, he shed weight dramatically, said Workman, who will prosecute the parents on charges of second-degree murder, neglect and cruelty. Aveion was emaciated, she said, weighing far less than the 30 pounds to 40 pounds he weighed upon leaving foster care on March 31, 2009.

Aveion would have turned 3 on Jan. 26, the day before his body, wrapped in plastic and tape, was found in the landfill. His stepfather, Brandon R'eal Lockett, 24, had told police 13 days earlier that masked men had kidnapped the boy. His mother, Morgan Elizabeth Ward Lockett, 23, said she was at work at the time.

Authorities haven't said what killed Aveion. During a court hearing last week in which a judge ordered Morgan Lockett to remain jailed pending trial, Workman said the toddler was gaunt and suffered a broken arm that went untreated in his final four to six weeks.

Workman added details in an interview Friday. Aveion, who was born prematurely, weighed 9 pounds at the age of 14 months, when he was put into foster care. His weight doubled during his first six weeks with a foster family, according to a search warrant filed in January. He plumped up to a normal weight of more than 30 pounds during the 11 months he spent away from his mother and stepfather, Workman said.

Amy Goff, owner of Copper Hill Child Care in Floyd County, said Aveion was a frequent visitor during his time in foster care and celebrated his second birthday with other children there.

"He was a very happy child. He never met a stranger," Goff said.

After a few months, Aveion became well known around Copper Hill, Goff said -- both because of his outgoing personality and as one of the few black children in the area.

"He loved the attention," Goff said.

More than a dozen posts on a Web site memorial set up by his foster parents echo Goff's comments. Many remarked about Aveion's laugh and smile. One recalled his lip-smacking love for raisins. One noted his weight gain and said "he was so easy to love."

Aveion had his appendix removed soon after birth and recovered fully, Workman said. He needed medication after the operation, but didn't have continuing health problems, Workman said.

"He was, while fragile, not quite as medically high-maintenance as he's been made out to be," Workman said.

While Aveion was in foster care, Roanoke Social Services required the Locketts to take a parenting class. Social workers instructed Brandon Lockett, who had prior convictions in Georgia for striking a woman and for breaking into her house to attack a man, to take a class on alternatives to domestic violence. After December 2008, when the Locketts were permitted visits with Aveion in their home, a social worker spent 20 to 30 hours per month working with the parents, according to a social services statement in January.

By March 2009, when Aveion came back to live with the Locketts under social worker supervision, the boy weighed between 30 and 40 pounds, normal for his age, Workman said.

He lost a little of that weight before September 2009, but not enough to alarm social workers, Workman said. On Sept. 19, a judge accepted social services' recommendation to fully restore custody of Aveion to the Locketts.

Exactly how much weight Aveion lost in his last months of life hasn't been made public.

In addition to the broken arm, Aveion had been burned on the legs by a heater sometime during his final weeks, according to a search warrant filed earlier in the case. He wasn't treated for the burns.

Morgan Lockett's court-appointed attorney, Art Strickland of Roanoke, said that from what he knew, the first his client heard about Aveion having a broken arm was Workman's statement last week in court. Morgan Lockett spent her days working as an assistant at Hurt Park Elementary School, Strickland said, while Brandon Lockett was at home caring for Aveion and the couple's three other children.

Brandon Lockett's attorney, Rachel Jackson of the city public defender's office, said her agency's policy prohibits her from commenting on the case.

The Locketts' three other children are staying with Morgan Lockett's mother, said Cara Ward, Morgan Lockett's sister.

"The kids are safe now, and they're good and they're happy and laughing," Ward said this week.

News researcher Belinda Harris contributed to this report.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/240084

by Justice4all on Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:00 pm

Roanoke Police department to be honored after search for Aveion Lewis

By Dawn Jefferies | WSLS10 Anchor
Published: March 29, 2010

ROANOKE - It’s an image police and an entire community won’t forget. “If Aveion was brought to landfill we will find it,“ said Roanoke Police Captain Greg Staples.

Four train car loads of trash, 25 people going through it with garden rakes looking for the body of a little boy on the day he would have turned three. “It’s very emotional to think today of all days Aveion would have turned three that we are searching a landfill for someone who should be enjoying birthday cake with their friends,“ Staples said.

Roanoke detectives Holly Willoughby and April McCadden had a feeling something wasn’t right when they answered the call Aveion Lewis was abducted. “I had a feeling it was going to be something that needed additional manpower,“ Willoughby remembered.

Her feeling was right. Police say Aveion’s step-father told them three men beat him up and took the little boy. But, it was a lie. Aveion was dead before the 911 call was ever made. It was heartbreak for the people hoping he’d be found alive.

“It was difficult. It was very difficult,“ she said. “I guess it was searching for him… I always felt like we were going to find him.“

But there was also relief. “I think the finding of Aveion was a relief to a lot of people in the community because we could put him to rest,“ said McCadden.

Willoughby agreed. “That was very difficult. As a mother you can’t imagine how somebody could think so little of a child as to throw it in the garbage,“ she said.

The image is far from complete. Investigators now have to follow the two people charged in Aveion’s case head to court.

The Roanoke Police Department will be honored at our Celebration of Heroes breakfast March 31st.

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/police_department_to_be_honored_after_seach_for_missing_toddler/89282/

by Justice4all on Sat May 08, 2010 7:58 am

Aveion Lewis’ step-father may have written ransom notes

By Scott Leamon
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 7, 2010

ROANOKE - Forensic handwriting investigators claim in court documents that Brandon Lockett may be trying to stone-wall the investigation into the death of his step-son, Aveion Lewis.

Lockett is charged with second degree murder in the death of the little two-year-old boy back in February.

A state handwriting examiner wrote it is quote “likely” Lockett wrote two ransom notes claiming Aveion had been kidnapped. The examiner also wrote Lockett “intentionally distorted” some of his handwriting samples for police.

As far as Aveion’s mother, who’s also charged in the case, a judge denied bond for Morgan Lockett once again Friday morning. She’s due to have another child on May 26th.

Morgan Lockett’s lawyers claim that child will live with Lockett’s mother.

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/aveion_lewis_step-father_may_have_written_ransom_notes/98731/

by Justice4all on Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:26 pm

Judge denies psychological evaluation funds in Aveion Lewis case

He told Morgan Lockett's attorney that he could renew the motion.

By Mike Gangloff
September 2, 2010

Snipped from http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/259000

Morgan Elizabeth Ward Lockett was so abused by her husband that she may not have been able to form the intent to kill her son Aveion Lewis -- the intent necessary to sustain the first-degree murder charge against her, one of her attorneys said Wednesday.

Court-appointed attorney Tommy Strelka asked Roanoke Circuit Court Judge Clifford Weckstein during a pretrial hearing to approve money for a psychologist to evaluate Lockett. Strelka said he needed to explore the effects of physical and mental abuse on his client and gain a better understanding of life in the Lockett household in Southeast Roanoke before 2-year-old Aveion's death in January.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Sandra Workman protested Strelka's request for a psychological evaluation, saying it sounded as if he was trying to mount an insanity defense. Virginia law sets strict rules for an insanity defense and requires that any psychological evaluations be shared with prosecutors.

Weckstein asked if Strelka was trying to raise a "Trojan Horse insanity defense." Strelka denied it, but Weckstein said he was not convinced. The judge rejected the motion for money for a psychological evaluation, but said Strelka could renew the request if he could more clearly explain the distinction between his planned defense of Morgan Lockett and an insanity defense.

by Justice4all on Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:55 pm

Stepfather found guilty after plea agreement in Aveion Lewis case

Brandon Lockett avoided a trial and possible first-degree murder conviction in the child's death. Morgan Lockett faces trial in October.

By Neil Harvey
9/1/11

With a late-afternoon plea agreement, Brandon Lockett on Tuesday avoided both his upcoming trial and the possibility of a first-degree murder conviction in the death of his 2-year-old stepson, Aveion Lewis.

The hearing included more than an hour's worth of wrenching evidence from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Sandra Workman about the abuse suffered by Aveion.

Lockett, 25, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder, child abuse and neglect in Roanoke Circuit Court, and was later found guilty of those charges by Judge Clifford Weckstein. Lockett faces up to 50 years in prison at sentencing in November.

Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/297459

by Justice4all on Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:02 pm

Prosecutors case reveals trail of missed opportunities that might've saved Aveion Lewis

By: Scott Leamon
Published: August 31, 2011

~Snipped~

At around 15 months, prosecutors said Aveion weighed less than a healthy newborn, less than nine pounds.

At that point, one of Aveion's doctors, Dr. Michael Hart, wrote to a lawyer appointed to represent Aveion after the Locketts lost custody in May, 2008.

In the letter, Hart wrote "Since [Aveion's] premature birth he had failed to thrive in the care of his mother and step father."

Hart ended the letter like this: "Simply stated, if Aveion does not receive proper nourishment and regular check ups he will not survive."

After the Department of Social Services stepped in and took custody of Aveion in the spring of 2008, he was put in the care of a foster family where prosecutors said he thrived.

At one point the following spring Aveion reached a weight of more than 28 pounds, prosecutors said.

During his foster stay, the Department of Social Services said in a statement released last year, the Locketts were cooperating by attending parenting classes and domestic violence prevention training.

Court records show Aveion moved back into the Locketts home in April 2009 under a "trial placement" program which included regular supervision through the Department of Social Services.

Read more: http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/aug/31/prosecutors-case-reveals-trail-missed-opportunitie-ar-1277541/

by Justice4all on Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:26 pm

DNA expert testifies in Morgan Lockett trial

By: Scott Leamon
Published: October 17, 2011

~Snipped~

A DNA expert spoke to the jury this morning in the Morgan Lockett trial.

Lockett is charged with first degree murder and several other crimes involving the death of her two-year-old son, Aveion Lewis.

The DNA expert said she found Aveion's DNA on a couple of items of clothing and a towel found inside the Locketts home.

Read more: http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/oct/17/dna-expert-testifies-morgan-lockett-trial-ar-1388301/

by Justice4all on Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:30 am

Morgan Lockett's charge now second-degree murder

The reduction in the charge followed testimony that could not establish how Aveion Lewis died.

By Neil Harvey
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The judge in Morgan Lockett's murder and child abuse trial dropped the first-degree murder charge late Monday and ruled the case will proceed with a second-degree murder charge.

The decision means Lockett, 24, no longer faces the possibility of life imprisonment in the death of her son, 2-year-old Aveion Lewis. The maximum penalty for second-degree murder is 40 years in prison.

Roanoke Circuit Court jurors during the trial's fifth day heard testimony from a half-dozen witnesses, including Dr. Christena Roberts, former assistant chief medical examiner, who examined Aveion's body and said the amount of weight he lost in the last months of his life "could potentially be fatal."

Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/299830

by Piper on Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:26 am

In my heart, I believe starving an already sick and special needs child to death is still first degree murder. He also had a broken arm and untreated burns on his legs. The cause of death was intentional, then he was thrown out like trash. Sad

by Justice4all on Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:46 pm

Morgan Lockett pleads no contest to second-degree murder

Morgan Lockett is accused in the January 2010 death of two-year-old Aveion Lewis

11:40 a.m. EDT, October 18, 2011
ROANOKE, Va.—

The trial of a Roanoke mother came to end Tuesday morning when she entered into a plea agreement. Morgan Lockett was charged in the death of her son, Aveion Lewis.

Lockett plead no contest to second-degree murder and child abuse charges. Monday, the judge threw out first-degree murder charges, saying the evidence didn't support that charge.

Tuesday morning, the prosecution and defense announced Morgan had entered into a plea agreement. According to the agreement, Lockett entered no contest, meaning she admits the Commonwealth has enough evidence to convict her.

Read more: http://www.wtvr.com/news/wdbj7-trial-begins-tuesday-for-woman-accused-of-starving-child-20111011,0,7635117.story

by Justice4all on Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:51 pm

Brandon Lockett: I'm innocent in Aveion killing and want trial

By Mike Gangloff | The Roanoke Times
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Convicted of killing his stepson Aveion Lewis, Brandon Lockett says in a letter from jail he is innocent and wants to withdraw a no contest plea to defend himself in a trial.

Writing from the Roanoke City Jail, where he has been held since January 2010, Lockett said he pleaded no contest to a second-degree murder charge about six weeks ago because he thought a murder charge against his wife, Morgan Lockett, would be dropped.

Morgan Lockett today pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and felony child abuse as her murder trial entered its sixth day. She faces a maximum of 50 years in prison.

Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/299856

by Justice4all on Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:47 pm

Aveion Lewis's foster mother speaks

By: Scott Leamon
Published: November 21, 2011

ROANOKE, VA --

At 15 months old in May of 2008, and weighing the same as a newborn, eight pounds, authorities took a memorable picture of Aveion Lewis while he was being cared for at a Roanoke daycare.

Prosecutors used the picture at his mother, Morgan Lockett’s, murder trial before she agreed to plead the case to a second degree murder charge.

Aveion's foster mother, Michelle Yopp, took a picture of him seven hours after taking him home.

"He actually scared me,” Yopp said. “Here they are handing me this child that isn't mine that was literally knocking on death's door at the time."

But for first time in his brief life, Yopp said, Aveion Lewis finally had a mother.

"We started him out feeding him two ounces every two hours. Otherwise it was just projectile vomit everywhere because his stomach just couldn't hold it,” she said.

The plan was simple, since Aveion looked like an infant; treat him like one.

And the plan worked.

Yopp said Aveion's strength came back a few weeks into foster care.

Read more: http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/nov/21/aveion-lewiss-foster-mother-speaks-ar-1475442/