03.12.24
by

ARREST MADE IN THE STARVATION DEATH OF A 4-YEAR-OLD CHILD.

(Wilmington, DE. 19805) Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 30-year-old Mercedes Ferguson of Wilmington with Murder by Abuse following a child death investigation.

The investigation into the incident began on August 18, 2023, at 1:24 a.m. after a 9-1-1 call was made from a home in the unit block of Court Drive in the community of Greenview at Chestnut Run in reference to CPR on her 4-year-old son.

Patrol Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police, New Castle County Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Services responded to the home and provided first aid to the Victim, who was identified as her 4-year-old son. Unfortunately, the 4-year-old was pronounced deceased, and his body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science who conducted an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.  An autopsy was conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science which ruled the death was homicide through starvation.

On March 8th, 2024, after reviewing the case with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Mercedes Ferguson. Mercedes Ferguson was taken into custody on March 11th, 2024, at a home on Herbert Drive, in New Castle, DE.

Mercedes Ferguson was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters where she was charged with the following crimes:

•One felony count of Murder by abuse or neglect first-degree recklessly caused the death of a child.

Mercedes Ferguson was arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution after failing to pay $1,000,000.00 cash bail.

Detectives are asking anyone with additional information to please contact Detective Starratt at (302) 395-2745 or via email at Ashlee.Starratt@newcastlede.gov or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800. Private messages can also be submitted through Facebook (IM) at New Castle County Police. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or submit a tip online at http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com

Additionally, if you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a violent crime or have lost a loved one to sudden death and need assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302) 395-8000.

Mercedes Ferguson-30

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