A 27-year-old Virginia woman has been charged with murder and child abuse after authorities say her 5-year-old son died from extensive internal injuries caused by repeated physical abuse.
According to the Newport News Police Department, Katrina Marie Sudberry was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse following the death of her son, identified in court records only as J.H. She is currently being held at the Newport News Jail, and her next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Emergency Call Leads Police to Child in Critical Condition
Police responded to an apartment in the 300 block of Walden Pond Court in Newport News at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Thursday after receiving a “Code Blue” emergency call regarding an unresponsive child.
When officers arrived, they entered the apartment and found Sudberry crying and screaming in a back bedroom. Nearby, 5-year-old J.H. was lying on the floor wearing only underwear. Investigators reported that the child had bruises covering nearly his entire body.
Emergency medical personnel transported the boy to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that evening.
Mother Allegedly Admitted Using Physical Punishment
According to court documents, detectives interviewed Sudberry after the child’s death. She allegedly admitted using corporal punishment to discipline her son.
Investigators said she told them she used her hands, a belt, and physical exercises such as push-ups and wall squats as forms of punishment. She also acknowledged using a belt to discipline the boy just two days before police were called to the home.
Authorities stated Sudberry had been the only adult caring for the child during the previous three weeks.
Child Showed Serious Symptoms Before Death
Court records indicate Sudberry told investigators that J.H. had been lethargic and had vomited earlier on the day of the incident. Despite those symptoms, she said she allowed him to remain in bed while she completed household chores.
Later, when she checked on him again, she found him unresponsive on the floor.
Instead of immediately calling emergency services, Sudberry reportedly contacted her mother first. According to investigators, her mother instructed her to dial 911.
When detectives questioned why she had not sought medical treatment sooner, Sudberry allegedly replied that she “knew how it would look,” referring to the extensive bruises visible on the child’s body.
Autopsy Revealed Extensive Internal Injuries
An autopsy conducted the following day found that the child suffered devastating internal injuries.
According to investigators, J.H. sustained:
- Multiple lacerations to his liver
- A laceration to one kidney
- Damage to his stomach
- Injuries to his diaphragm
- Severe injuries to his intestines
Medical examiners determined that the boy died from blunt force trauma.
Authorities also reported that the bruising patterns observed on the child’s body were consistent with repeated physical punishment, matching the disciplinary methods Sudberry allegedly described during questioning.
Police recovered a belt from the apartment, along with the belt buckle, which had reportedly broken off.
Neighbor Described Seeing Mother Dragging the Child
A neighbor who lived upstairs told local television station WAVY that she had seen Sudberry and J.H. the day before emergency responders were called.
According to the neighbor, she attempted to compliment the young boy while taking her own children to the car. She said her children also tried to speak with him.
However, she alleged Sudberry acted aggressively, forcefully dragging the child toward the vehicle instead of allowing any interaction.
Criminal Case Moves Forward
Following the investigation, prosecutors charged Sudberry with second-degree murder and felony child abuse.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. Sudberry remains in custody, and court records show she is scheduled to appear before a judge again on Sept. 9 as the criminal case proceeds.
