When an 11-year-old boy attempted to shield his pregnant mother and his younger brother from their ex-boyfriend, who had just been released from jail, he was slain in a domestic violence incident that left her gravely injured.
The Chicago Police Department reports that on March 13, 2024, at 12:20 p.m., in the 4400 block of S. Cottage Grove Ave., “offender Crosetti Brand, 37, was arrested by members of the Chicago Police Department and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.”
In relation to the 11-year-old’s deadly stabbing and the attempted murder of his mother, who escaped the attack but was sent to the hospital in serious condition, he was charged with multiple felonies, including murder.
In a community-organized fundraiser, the victims—Jayden Perkins and his mother, 33-year-old Laterria Smith—were named in an effort to provide support for the surviving family during this “tough time.”
Superintendent of Chicago Police Larry Snelling stated during a press conference on Friday that Brand was on parole the day before the attack, but he was serving a 16-year term for a house invasion in which he caused injury to someone.
At the presentation, Chief Detective Antoinette Ursitti of the Chicago Police Department revealed that Smith and Brand had dated for over 15 years before Smith’s first parole release in October of last year.
According to Ursitti, Brand breached Smith’s order of protection against him in February by showing up at her house and threatening her in texts. As a result, he was returned to prison.
On March 12, he was once more granted parole. According to Ursitti, he allegedly broke into Smith’s house the next day as she was leaving to take her children to school. Brand is said to have slain Perkins and repeatedly stabbed his mother while inside.
At the news conference, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx stated, “An innocent child’s life was taken, as he tried to protect his mother, far too soon.” “And in the place where she ought to have felt the safest, a mother was attacked.”
According to Ursitti, Perkins’ 5-year-old brother was also present at the house when the incident happened, but he was unharmed.
According to Ursitti, Brand was seen fleeing the scene carrying the weapon that he is suspected of using in the stabbings.