Kiln man accused of killing girlfriend's son indicted for capita - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

A Hancock County grand jury indicted Charles Connetti III, 26, on a charge of capital murder Thursday.

Connetti is accused of killing his girlfriend’s 15-month-old son, Maddox Vieregge. Autopsy results showed the toddler died from head trauma. Investigators said the injures included swelling on the brain and trouble breathing because of blood in the boy’s lungs.

The indictment says the abuse happened sometime between March 31, 2016 and April 2, 2016. Investigators said Maddox was in Connetti’s care when he was injured.

Connetti was arrested April 5, 2016. He has been behind bars on a $1 million bond since his arrest, according to the Hancock County jail docket. The district attorney's office said Connetti will be arraigned on April 3, and they expect a trial date to be set at that time.

Connetti’s mother, Carmen Connetti, maintains her son’s innocence. Carmen said Connetti cared for Maddox as his own, even though he was not his biological son.

Carmen claims Maddox was hurt when he fell out of bed and hit his head on a metal lock-box. Investigators said the boy’s injuries were not consistent with that story.

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