Newly released court records have revealed disturbing details in the death of a 5-year-old Virginia boy, whose fatal injuries investigators say were the result of repeated physical abuse. Authorities allege the child’s mother and her boyfriend discussed punishing the boy in text messages before his death, while an autopsy found extensive internal and external injuries.
Investigation Began After Child Was Found Unresponsive
The investigation started on July 16, when officers with the Newport News Police Department responded to a residence on Walden Pond Court after receiving a report of an unresponsive 5-year-old boy.
Emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures before transporting the child to a nearby hospital. Despite those efforts, the boy died later that evening.
According to the Office of the Medical Examiner, the child died from internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
Mother Arrested Following Child’s Death
The day after the boy died, police arrested his mother, Katrina Sudberry, 27.
She was charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse after investigators said she admitted physically disciplining her son in the days leading up to his death.
According to court documents, Sudberry told investigators she struck the child with her hands and a belt. Police also allege she forced him to perform physical exercises, including push-ups and wall squats, as punishment.
Boyfriend Also Charged in the Case
As the investigation continued, authorities arrested Gregory Glenn Martin, 30, Sudberry’s boyfriend.
Police charged Martin with second-degree murder, child abuse or neglect causing serious injury, and failure to comply with sex offender registry requirements.
Investigators said newly released court documents provided additional evidence regarding the events surrounding the child’s death.
Mother Described Events Before Child Died
According to investigators, Sudberry told police that on the morning of the child’s death she left her son alone with Martin for about 45 minutes.
When she returned, she noticed that a belt used by both adults to discipline the child had a broken buckle.
She told investigators the belt had been undamaged before she left the residence.
Police also allege Sudberry admitted she delayed calling 911 because she “knew how it would look.”
Text Messages Discussed Child’s Punishment
Court documents include text messages exchanged between Sudberry and Martin about the boy’s discipline.
According to investigators, Sudberry messaged Martin saying the child had additional bruises while they were still trying to get rid of older ones.
Police allege Martin responded by asking whether she was going to allow him to continue whipping the boy.
Investigators said Sudberry later sent Martin photographs showing the child’s injuries while confronting him about the abuse.
According to court records, Martin eventually replied that he would stop physically whipping the child and would instead limit punishment to physical workouts because, in his words, the child was not afraid of those exercises.
The messages have become part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Autopsy Revealed Catastrophic Injuries
Investigators said the autopsy found severe injuries throughout the child’s body.
According to the medical examiner, the boy suffered traumatic injuries to his liver, stomach, and intestines, along with what authorities described as catastrophic injuries across multiple parts of his body.
The findings supported investigators’ conclusion that the child died as a result of repeated blunt force trauma.
Both Defendants Remain Behind Bars
Sudberry and Martin are both being held at the Newport News Jail as the criminal case proceeds.
Court records show the pair are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors continue preparing their case against both defendants in connection with the child’s death.
