Babysitter charged with Drano killing

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia man was charged Monday with using a caustic drain cleaner to torture to death a 20-month-old boy he was babysitting, authorities said.

Aaron Pace, 33, was a neighbor of Suliaman Orrell Kirkland's parents in North Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. He often called himself the boy's godfather, Police Lt. Philip Riehl said.

Pace was caring for the boy Feb. 2, Riehl said. Suliaman's mother called 911 after someone in the house told her he had been hurt.

The boy, who had chemical burns on his body, died at St. Christopher's Hospital five days later.

Investigators said they believe Pace smeared Drano on the boy.

"Why did he do it? Because the child, in the defendant's view, was uncooperative and crying, doing what 20-month-old children do," Riehl said.

Pace was being held without bail on a charge of murder.