Private funeral set for 8-year-old boy
Advocate staff report
June 22, 2012
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Private funeral services have been arranged for an 8-year-old boy who authorities say was beaten to death by his parents, according to the boy’s aunt, Jessica Riley.
She said late Wednesday that information released by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office earlier in the day about funeral arrangements for her nephew, Xzayvion Riley, was not authorized or approved by the family.
“Please let my family grieve in peace,” Jessica Riley said.
She said those who wish to honor her nephew’s memory should go to their place of worship and light a candle or say a prayer for Xzayvion.
The boy’s parents, Michael Robertson, 46, and Lavaughn Riley, 32, were each initially booked on a count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile following the death of their son June 12 at 8231 Skysail Ave., but the counts were changed to first-degree murder Friday after Clark ruled the death a homicide.
State District Judge Trudy White has denied bail for both Lavaughn Riley and Robertson.
Preliminary autopsy results show the boy died of “overwhelming infection,” caused by a ruptured bowel from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen, Clark has said.
The autopsy also showed 60 external signs of recent and old trauma, including abrasions, bruises and a human bite mark, Clark has said.
Riley admitted to sheriff’s deputies that she beat her son and caused bruises on his back, shoulder blade and buttocks, an affidavit of probable cause says.
She also said Robertson beat the child and caused the bruises and scratches on the boy’s neck, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks has said.
Robertson denied any involvement in his son’s injuries, Hicks has said.
The victim’s 10-year-old sibling told deputies that Robertson beat the child with his fist from noon June 11 until that evening, the affidavit says.
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Trey Williams confirmed Friday the agency had an open case with Xzayvion’s family.