Mother charged in son's beating death

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Florida woman whose 13-year-old son allegedly killed his younger brother was charged Thursday with aggravated child neglect.

Tangela Key allegedly beat 8-year-old Levares as well with assistance from her other children, The Orlando Sentinel reported. On Saturday, she left the children alone with Demetrius, the oldest, in charge.

"She knowingly left Levares in a circumstance that could result in his death," Sgt. John Allen of the Orange County Sheriff's Office told reporters at a news conference. "She knew that Demetrius had a propensity to harm Levares."

Allen said that during “disciplinary sessions” Key would hit Levares, while the other children held him. He said that she also once warned Demetrius he could get in trouble because Levares had visible marks on his arms from being hit.

Demetrius Key has been charged with the fatally beating his brother with a broom handle because Levares ate a dessert he was not supposed to and picked at a scab. Authorities are trying to determine whether to charge him as an adult.