Over three days in March and April in 2021, Valerie Owusu and Emmanuel Addae brutally beat 5-year-old King Owusu inside of their apartment in Lefrak City, Queens. King, Owusu’s son, was slowly dying and when he lost consciousness on April 1st, the couple took the boy to a family member’s home in Brentwood where died. Police were called to the Brentwood home after another family discovered the boy and King was taken to Southside Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A medical examiner testified in court that King was beaten from head to toe, and that his injuries, which were too numerous to count, caused his death.
On March 22nd, Owusu and Addae were convicted of murder after a jury trial in Central Islip court.
“The jury has spoken, but unfortunately, that will not bring back this young boy,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney in a statement. “Notwithstanding such tragedy, this case highlights our resolve to protect the innocence of every child in Suffolk County and to bring accountability to those who would dare harm them.”
On Wednesday, May 1st the judge sentenced both Owusu and Addae to 25 years to life in prison.
