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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...e7a68a5523.html

MICHIGAN CITY | A Michigan City man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a 2-year-old Michigan City boy who died from physical abuse.

Tommy Shannon Jr., 22, of Michigan City, is charged in LaPorte Superior Court 1 with murder, and two counts of felony battery.

Charges against other individuals are also anticipated, authorities said.

According to LaPorte County Sheriff's Department, deputies retrieved Shannon on Sept. 30 from the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville and returned with him to face the charges.

He is being held without bond in the LaPorte County Jail pending the outcome of the case.

According to court documents, Shannon is accused of intentionally killing Nizeir Brown on Aug. 13 by use of physical force at a home in the 200 East block of Seventh Street.

LaPorte County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Huffman said the boy died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...ebbbc2d345.html

MICHIGAN CITY | The mother and grandmother of a 2-year-old Michigan City boy who died from physical abuse are now in custody following the arrest of the mother's boyfriend, who was charged with murder.

Regina Brown, the boy's mother, was charged Wednesday with Class A felony neglect of a dependent.

Derris Baylor, the boy's grandmother, was charged with Class D felony obstruction of justice and Class B misdemeanor failure to report child abuse or neglect.

Tommy Shannon Jr., 22, was returned from the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville on Monday to face charges of murder and two counts of battery.

Nizeir Brown on Aug. 13 was taken to the hospital with convulsions and later died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen, according to court documents.

LaPorte County Prosecutor Bob Szilagyi said the boy was punched by Shannon hard enough "that his pancreas was basically split in half."

He said an autopsy also showed he had been subject to physical abuse previously.

Brown is accused of knowing the abuse was occurring but doing nothing to stop her boyfriend.