Virginia man charged with homicide in 4-year-old son’s death

HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - U.S. marshals have arrested a Virginia man charged with felony homicide in the death of his 4-year-old son.

Hank L. Smith Jr., 40, was caught Friday in Harrisonburg, news outlets report. He previously was arrested and charged with the felony child abuse or neglect of Larkin Carter Carr, who died in November 2018. He posted bail and was released.

Also charged in Larkin’s death are a 15-year-old boy and his mother, who was engaged to Smith. Police say the teen, charged with second-degree murder, has admitted to beating Larkin repeatedly in the days before he died.

A medical examiner ruled Larkin died from blunt force trauma to his abdomen. She also noted in her autopsy report that Larkin, who was covered by 80 to 90 bruises, was small for his age, had been chronically underfed and possibly suffered from “terminal dehydration.”

The teen’s mother, Catherine Louise Seals, pleaded guilty to felony homicide and child abuse or neglect last month as part of a deal in which prosecutors agreed to cap her potential prison time to 21 years and six months. Her sentencing is set for next month.

Authorities say the adults didn’t directly hurt Larkin, but did nothing to stop his abuse.