Killeen, TX – A man has been indicted on a first-degree felony charge nearly two years after a 4-year-old child died while under his care in a Killeen home, prompting a renewed outcry for justice in the community.
Child Found Unresponsive, Later Pronounced Dead
According to authorities, Omari Prince Sherron, age 4, was found unresponsive and transported to the McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple around 11:08 a.m. on October 20, 2022. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 2:15 p.m. by a Bell County justice of the peace, who subsequently ordered an autopsy.
Medical Examiner Confirms Homicide
The autopsy revealed that Omari died from blunt force trauma to the back of his head. The force was significant enough to cause a skull fracture and subdural hemorrhaging, leading the medical examiner to classify the death as a homicide.
“The manner of death was determined to be homicide. The force that caused the injury was substantial enough to fracture Sherron’s skull,” stated the official arrest affidavit.
Caregiver Alone with Child During Critical Hours
Following the incident, Killeen police launched an investigation and questioned individuals who had contact with Omari. Joshua Rashad Hurndon, 36, of Killeen, was identified as the only adult present in the home at the time Omari became unresponsive. According to court documents, Hurndon was alone with the child from early morning until emergency personnel were called.
“Hurndon stated that Sherron appeared ill… He said he heard a loud noise from Sherron’s room but did not check on him,” police reported.
Hurndon told officers he gave the child an orange that morning but offered no explanation for the fatal injuries. Investigators later discovered vomited orange peels in the kitchen trash, as well as the child’s bedtime clothes in the bathroom.
Mother’s Account Contradicts Suspect’s Statement
Omari’s mother provided photographs taken the night before the incident, showing the child appearing healthy and active. She stated she kissed her son goodbye around 4:30 a.m. on the morning of his death, and that he was acting normally and uninjured.
This starkly contradicted Hurndon’s version of events, further raising suspicion around the circumstances of the child’s death.
Indictment and Bond Details
On Wednesday, a Bell County grand jury indicted Hurndon on a charge of injury to a child, a first-degree felony. He was arrested on December 3, 2024, and released after posting a $125,000 bond on February 6, according to Bell County court records.
The case has resurfaced following the indictment, and legal proceedings are expected to begin soon.
Should Joshua Hurndon face harsher charges given the evidence? Tell us what you think in the comments.
