The mother of an 11-year-old boy who lost his life protecting her during a knife attack appeared in court on Tuesday, Aug. 5, for the sentencing hearing of the assailant.
Jayden Perkins was fatally stabbed on March 24 while trying to shield his pregnant mother, Laterria Smith.
Authorities reported that Crosetti Brand, who had previously been in a relationship with Smith over a decade ago, forced his way into the family’s Chicago home as the children were preparing for school, according to WGN.
ABC 7 confirmed that Perkins died from a stab wound to the chest. Smith, pregnant at the time, survived despite being stabbed 15 times. The attack was witnessed by Jayden’s 5-year-old brother, the outlet reported.
NBC 5, ABC 7, and the Chicago Sun-Times noted that Brand was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder in June.
Smith addressed the court during Brand’s sentencing, revealing she continues to suffer from nightmares related to the attack, NBC 5 reported.
“You have taken away one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with,” Smith said, according to NBC 5. “I am broken without my son.”
Police revealed that Brand had been released on parole just one day before the stabbing, following convictions for aggravated assault and home invasion. At the time, Smith had an active restraining order against him.
Her 5-year-old son witnessed the attack as well. “We have to imagine what that 5-year-old is going to have to deal with the rest of his life after witnessing something so brutal,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, as quoted by WGN.
