CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Police say a man is facing homicide and child abuse charges in relation to the death of a 2-year-old girl in Chesapeake Thursday morning.
Police were initially called to CHKD hospital in Norfolk early Wednesday morning when the toddler was admitted with life-threatening injuries. She died there the next day.
An investigation revealed the girl had been in the care of Harvion Lontel Simpkins, 35, at the InTown Suites on Old Greenbrier Road while her mother was at work, Chesapeake police spokesman Leo Kosinski said.
He said the child's mother took her to the hospital after returning to the hotel.
Simpkins was arrested Wednesday and charged with child abuse and neglect, endangerment to children, stabbing with malicious intent, and threat by letter, communication or electronic message.
He was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday after the child died, and is being held in jail without bond.
Simpkins is a registered sex offender in Accomack County, and he was convicted in October 2010 for carnal knowledge of a child 13 to 15 years old.
Kosinski said the 2-year-old is the youngest homicide victim in Chesapeake so far this year.
The investigation is ongoing.