UPDATE: Deshaun Lewis has been identified as the suspect in this story. He is no longer in custody after posting bail. 13 Action News is working to gather more details.
ORIGINAL STORY:
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- A 5-year-old boy was sent to University Medical Center after relatives say he was beaten with multiple belts on Sunday. We're told the suspect, a family friend, is in custody.
"I felt like I could trust him," said mom Kendra Mitchell.
13 Action News has reached out to police to confirm the name of the suspect and location of the incident.
Mitchell's son Marscel suffered multiple internal injuries and a fractured leg. The child is heavily sedated but expected to survive.
"He finally opened his eyes," said Mitchell. "He like tried to reach for me but he couldn't get up."
Marscel's mom and aunt were emotional.
"Just to walk in there and see him like that is sickening to my stomach," said aunt Krystal Willoughby.
Mitchell says she knew the suspect for several years. The man, who had temporary custody of the child, stepped in to help when Mitchell said she became extremely ill.
Relatives said there were never any red flags. The child seemed happy and healthy.
"He called him daddy," said Willoughby. "He really looked up to him."
Mitchell, a single mom of three young kids, said it'll be hard to ever trust anyone again. In the meantime, all she wants is full custody of her child and justice.
"I don't feel like he should be able to get out," she said.
13 Action News will continue to provide updates to this developing story.
