A 26-year-old Ohio man is accused of beating a 6-year-old boy so severely that the child suffered a fractured arm, a broken shoulder bone, and bleeding in his left eye — then allegedly tried to convince investigators the injuries came from older kids fighting over a popsicle at a playground, according to police.
Background
Kev'Ronn Brown was arraigned Wednesday in Franklin County Municipal Court on charges of endangering children with specifications of torture and cruel abuse. The boy was brought to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus at approximately 1:30 a.m. on April 18 suffering from a fractured arm, a swollen face, and a bloodshot left eye. According to WBNS, Brown initially told hospital staff and law enforcement that the child's injuries resulted from an attack by older kids, aged 12 to 14, who had been fighting over a popsicle at a local playground.
The Investigation
Franklin County Children's Services investigators soon uncovered what they believe actually happened. When FCCS workers interviewed the child, he reportedly told them that Brown — his mother's live-in partner — was responsible for the injuries. The boy said Brown beat him up in a hotel room two days earlier, on April 16, while other family members were asleep.
The child's account to investigators included disturbing details. According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by WBNS, the boy reported that Brown punched him, struck his back and shoulder, placed hot sauce in his eyes and mouth, and dropped him on his head. The same story emerged when Columbus police detectives interviewed the child approximately one week later.
A medical evaluation confirmed serious injuries: a broken bone in the child's left shoulder and a hemorrhage in his left eye. Following the investigation, FCCS took emergency custody of the victim and other children in the household.
Court records indicate that Brown has prior arrests for physically abusing a minor. At the time of his arrest on the current charges, he reportedly had outstanding warrants from incidents in 2022 and 2024.
Key Takeaways
- The boy suffered serious injuries including a fractured arm, broken shoulder bone, and eye hemorrhage after being brought to Nationwide Children's Hospital on April 18
- Brown allegedly initially blamed older kids fighting over a popsicle at a playground — a story that collapsed when the child spoke to investigators
- The child told FCCS and police that Brown assaulted him in a hotel room on April 16 while family members slept, describing punches, strikes to his back and shoulder, hot sauce applied to his eyes and mouth, and being dropped on his head
- Brown has prior arrests for physically abusing a minor and outstanding warrants from 2022 and 2024 incidents at the time of this arrest
What's Next
A Franklin County Municipal Court judge set Brown's bond at $800,000. He remains in custody at the Franklin County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 10.