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twitterMan accused in infant’s death denies alleged beating
Examiner says child suffered from burns, brain injuries
Justin M. Bowen
Rayshaun Coleman appears in Henderson Justice Court on Thursday to face charges of first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect in the death of an infant earlier this year. The Clark County medical examiner testified the baby suffered from traumatic brain injuries.
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 | 6:51 p.m.
Rayshaun T. Coleman
Sun Archives
Infant death
A man accused of killing an infant told police that someone else must have entered the home earlier this year and brutally beat and burned the baby while the boy was sleeping, Henderson Police officers testified Thursday during a hearing in Henderson Justice Court.
During the preliminary hearing for Rayshaun Coleman, 20, officers testified there were discrepancies in his story and he didn’t immediately call 911.
Coleman is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect. The infant was found in a house in the 1900 block of Dunnam Street, near Pabco and Sunset Roads, after officers responded to the home about 11 p.m. on March 8.
At Thursday's hearing, a Clark County medical examiner testified the baby died from traumatic brain injuries, including two fractures on the right side of the skull. The baby was five weeks, four days old.
The mother of the infant, 21-year-old Christal Hilburn-Gaynor, has been charged with child abuse and neglect after leaving the infant in Coleman’s care while she was serving weekends at the Henderson Detention Center on domestic violence and battery charges.
Prosecutor Vicki Monroe said Hilburn-Gaynor also went to Disneyland with her 5-year-old son and left the infant with Coleman for a weekend.
The baby was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified the infant as Tristin Michaels.
Clark County Medical Examiner Alane Olson testified today that Tristin had several fractured ribs, some of which were injuries suffered seven to 10 days before his death. Other injuries were older wounds beginning to heal, she said.
The autopsy also revealed that Tristin was malnourished and smaller than his original birth measurements. She said the infant had been starved and was unable to cry out for food because of the brain injuries he suffered.
Olson said she also noticed a red discoloration during the autopsy and later discovered Tristin had suffered second-degree burns. She said the burns occurred around the same time as his death.
“I did not see evidence that the body reacted to that injury to heal,” Olson said.
She said 36 percent of the baby's body was covered with burns, starting at his front, wrapping around his torso area to his back.
Olson said she ruled the death a homicide because the boy died as a result of inflicted head injuries.
Coleman’s attorney, David Schieck, asked Olson if Tristin’s fractured ribs could have been caused by an untrained person performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Olson said ribs sometimes break during CPR, but only in the front, whereas Tristin’s fractures were in the front and back.
Henderson Police Officer Lisa Zahnow testified that her partner performed CPR on the infant when they arrived at the home and noticed the baby had stopped breathing.
She said Coleman was in the house with a 5-year-old boy waiting for police to arrive. Coleman identified himself under a false name, Zahnow said.
“When we arrived he (Coleman) led us to the master bedroom and the baby was on the floor not breathing with one eye open,” Zahnow said. “There were red blotches all over the baby’s body.”
Zahnow testified she believed the baby might have come into contact with a chemical that caused the red blotches on his body. Zahnow said Coleman told her he had fallen asleep with the baby on his chest and woke up to find Tristin not breathing.
She said Coleman told her someone must have come into the bedroom while he was sleeping and killed the baby.
Athena Raney, a Henderson Police detective, testified that Coleman told her that on the day the baby died, several other people had been in the house, all of whom were methamphetamine users. She said she obtained a search warrant on March 9, but found no chemicals or methamphetamine products in the home that could have caused Tristin’s burns.
Both Coleman and Hilburn-Gaynor are being held in the Henderson Detention Center. Coleman is being held without bail and Hilburn-Gaynor’s bail is set at $10,000.
Hilburn-Gaynor’s attorney, Robert Glennen, asked Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr to reduce Hilburn-Gaynor’s bail. Monroe argued the bail should be increased to $25,000.
“She has battery, domestic violence and prostitution charges from 2008, so I think $10,000 is not enough,” Monroe said.
Burr denied both requests and kept the bail at $10,000.
An arraignment for Coleman and Hilburn-Gaynor has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 1.
Discussion: 27 comments so far…
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Someone else broke into my house and beat my boy.
Yup, this guy actually is as dumb as he looks.
the liberals will let this guy walk the streets again. will it be YOUR home he comes to next time?
protect your family.
vote republican.
How very disturbing that you choose a child's violent and tragic death to represent your Republican views. This the way you choose to represent your political party?
Such a sickening and sad story. Some people should not be allowed to have children. Im sad for this little boy who could not defend himself against the people who were supposed to take care of him.
These dogs should be put down! GOD bless this poor little soul, What's with the violence against these defenseless children by monsters with no conscious? If someone beats a child to death, Is their life relevant to the human race?
This is sad, and becoming an all to often occurance. Children shouldn't have to fear the people who are supposed to be there loved ones and protectors. I have a 3 year old, and sure she tries my patience sometimes, but I would sooner throw myself from the stratusphere as harm here beyond a swat on the fanny. Never a belt, never a "spanking", just a swat, and time outs. It seems to work just fine. How can you harm someone who will give you a hug and a kiss on the cheek out of the blue, who snuggles up to watch her (his) favorite cartoon with you, who just gets excited to see you and repeats "daddy" with a big smile on her (his) face. It's beyond comprehension to me.
Drugs to horrible things to the human mind. They distort, confuse and outright remove moral constraints of behavior. To have this level of savage barbarity against an innocent baby, one of God's blessed and most innocent of creatures, this person is not a man but an animal. He should be removed from society lest he repeat the same in the future.
Mike and pravica, I agree with both of you. Being a grand father myself, I don't get it! Day after day it's the same heart breaking story that makes no sense. I wonder how a person makes it through life after commiting such a inhumane act?
Something is wrong with that picture. NO BLING.
Hell has reserved areas for those who think as STEVEM does. Perhaps these are only his thoughts, impaired as they may be, but not reflective of his actions. At least I hope so.
It's really sad what has happened to this innocent baby. But what is even more sad is the people who are commenting about this youngman and only have what the news media is putting out. How many times have we heard stories broadcasted on the news and then later found out the story that was told previously (by news reporters)is different from the actual factual. Saying that to say, I think before you begin to voice your opinion (s) you need to wait and get the entire F A C T S!!! Also, to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ that are voicing their opinions; Go back to the WORD, and read where JESUS spoke and said, "Let HE without sin cast the first stone." So with that being said, GET A LIFE!!! All of you boring, no having a life ass people. NOW LET THAT MARINATE...
bcooks, don't use the Lord's word like that. You know better, I know better and the Lord DEFINITELY knows better. I can cast a stone because I've never murdered a child nor have I EVER been accused of murdering a child. And if I am not mistaken, #6 of the Lord's Word is Thou Shalt Not Kill (Ten Commandments ring a bell)?
So, yes, I will wait and see what unfolds but if it turns out that this depraved brother took one our own (and one who's future we will never see), I'll cast as many stones as I see fit, so you let that marinate, preserve, store, soak or whatever you need to do.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3
OKAY NOW BACK AT YOU GEENAB65...APPARENTLY YOU DON'T KNOW BETTER. You may have not ever killed anyone (and quiet as kept we DON'T KNOW IF THIS BROTHER KILLED ANYONE EITHER) BUT WE DAMN SHO KNO THAT YOU (YOU) ARE NOT WITHOUT SIN!!! SO WHAT YOUR VOICING MEANS AS MUCH TO ME AS THE SPIT ON THE GROUND. HOPEFULLY IN THIS PLACE KNOWN AS THE DEVILS HOUSE...FAIR AND TRUE JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL...AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WHO ARE SO ONE-SIDED LIKE YOURSELF ARE NOT ELECTED TO BE ON THE JURY...BOTTOMLINE IS A METICULOUS INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED SO THAT THE SICK MINDED PERSON (WHETHER IT BE THIS BROTHER OR NOT)WHO COMMITTED THIS HIDEOUS CRIME BE PLACED BEHIND BARS FOR LIFE. WE SHOULDN'T JUST PUT THIS OFF ON SOMEONE JUST SO WE HAVE SOMEONE IN JAIL WHO WAS THERE WITH THE CHILD BUT MAY NOT HAVE COMMITTED THE ACT. SO STOP!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU DEC 1
I'm sure the only reason he is accused is because he is a "brother." The facts obviously speak of innocence, another "brother" framed by the racist system.
bcooks, The last I looked this was a discussion page. If you don't like it take your "Boring no life ass" somewhere else.
OKAY NOW BACK AT YOU GEENAB65...APPARENTLY YOU DON'T KNOW BETTER. You may have not ever killed anyone (and quiet as kept we DON'T KNOW IF THIS BROTHER KILLED ANYONE EITHER) BUT WE DAMN SHO KNO THAT YOU (YOU) ARE NOT WITHOUT SIN!!! SO WHAT YOUR VOICING MEANS AS MUCH TO ME AS THE SPIT ON THE GROUND. HOPEFULLY IN THIS PLACE KNOWN AS THE DEVILS HOUSE...FAIR AND TRUE JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL...AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WHO ARE SO ONE-SIDED LIKE YOURSELF ARE NOT ELECTED TO BE ON THE JURY...BOTTOMLINE IS A METICULOUS INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED SO THAT THE SICK MINDED PERSON (WHETHER IT BE THIS BROTHER OR NOT)WHO COMMITTED THIS HIDEOUS CRIME BE PLACED BEHIND BARS FOR LIFE. WE SHOULDN'T JUST PUT THIS OFF ON SOMEONE JUST SO WE HAVE SOMEONE IN JAIL WHO WAS THERE WITH THE CHILD BUT MAY NOT HAVE COMMITTED THE ACT. SO STOP!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU DEC 1
**************************************************
Oh, bcooks, I do know better. I KNOW enough not to be in a situation to be accused of murdering a child, especially a child that isn't mine!! I'm not without sin, where did you read that in my post? But, I also know that what I say doesn't matter to you...in fact it means "spit on the ground". If you truly took a moment to open your mind and read my post, you'd understand what I posted but I understand that you had to have something to post back. So like I said in my original post, I'll wait until December 1st to see and I truly, sincerely hope that whoever committed this heinous crime is punished but at least open your mind to this...I don't need to judge, that's His job.
His picture just SCREAMS outstanding citizen!!
this is the reason why we need to have abortions.some pople need to be forced to have an abortions,some people just dont need to have anymore kids,just one more reason why the rep like stevem dont need to come back into office...As for the gangster child killer.The real gangster's will get a hold of him when he get's to prison inless he goes to protectve custody with the rest of the scum that's in pc,because they fear for there life in prison...
this goes to bcooks you speak as if this one of your family members and he is inosent of the chrages.Well let's just say he is then explane why he never knew something was wrong with the baby and took the baby to the hositpal?when they say the baby had burns over 35% of the body..I guess the same person keep sneaking in the house only to abuse the baby.I think mr.colemen should be a man and kill hisself so we can save some taxpayer money.oh yea and in case you was wondering I am black and from the hood but One thing i hate the most is a child killer,A child molester,and a rapeists...
Johnfromslc:
I'm sure the only reason he is accused is because he is a "brother." The facts obviously speak of innocence, another "brother" framed by the racist system
I would like to hear an elaboration on that post just for entertainment sake.
And I also believe in letting the wheels of Justice turn, for him as well as everyone when fact, hearsay and peoples pipedreams are forever present...
WTF is up with people thinking this guy is innocent or guilty,,but thats right ,, hes a brother so instantly hes guilty...What a bunch of POOH talk if i ever seen worse...Obviously some didnt read the article like others did....OK now let me get this,, he says someone did it while he was sleeping with the child... I dont know about anyone else,, but if someone was burning and beating to death a child i was sleeping next to,, I would believe i would have woken up... I dont know as he might not be a light sleepe,,but i doubt that anyone would sleep through that...So call it what you want,,, but i see someone thats going to have a hard time making any friends while he spends the rest of his life in prison.... By the way im the bus driver to hell,,Geena your not on the list.as of today,, but some cook guy is,,,,,The bus departs on time,, so dont be late........LOL
yo yo yo Judge, dat Kid beat n burned hisself ya see? I didnt do nuthin yo.. where my one fonecall so I can call Jesse to hep me?? peace out yo..
asleepatdawheel
Thank you for that!! I'll bring you coffee when I board the bus!!
Seriously: funny, we think alike. For the rest who believe in innocent to proven guilty...wake up. Not when it comes to this brutha. "Ya sees mr judge i be drinkin my 40oz and smokin my blunt/meth, den the nex ding i no is i never met my daddy and now i be a criminal because society made me dis way.. yeah yeah dats it, da baby dead cuz yall be racist and look at me like im a bad people.... fo real!!!" Sign me up for jury duty.