Lenoir City mother suspected in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old son

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) UPDATE (March 11, 11:35 a.m.)– Lenoir City Police are investigating after a 3-year-old boy was fatally stabbed at an apartment complex early Wednesday.

According to LCPD Chief Don White, Melani Sue Brown, 38, is considered a suspect after police responded to a reported stabbing around 2:40 a.m. at the McGhee Square Apartments on Kelly Lane.

Charges have yet to be filed in the case. Lenoir City investigators are working with 9th Judicial District Attorney Russell Johnson’s office. Charges are anticipated in the coming hours.

The child’s grandmother made the report. The initial investigation shows Melani Brown contacted the grandmother and said she was out walking around.

Officials say the grandmother found the child, King Brown, on the floor and began to administer CPR. Emergency Medical Services took over once they arrived at the scene.

While this was happening, Melani Brown allegedly stabbed herself in the neck and chest in an attempt at suicide, a police official said. She has been transported to UT Medical Center.

According to White, Brown was recovering from surgery, but was considered ‘in serious condition.

He also said that the department of child services had been notified about Melani Brown multiple times within the last three years.

A spokesperson for TDCS said she can confirm that ” DCS has opened an investigation. State privacy protection laws prohibit me from making any other comments or confirming any other information.”

Neighbors in the apartment complex told 6 On Your Side that King was a very sweet boy.

They said that he was always playing at the park in the complex.

“He was always showing me his toys, and showing me how fast he could run, and showing me the pictures he made on the sidewalk. And he would go play with his friends almost every day. And he went to church every single time that church was open,” Shannon McKee, a neighbor, said.

Another neighbor said he liked to take King to the grocery store next to the complex when he could tell the mother was a little stressed.

“She pretty much took care of him, and sometimes she had to sit out here (on the porch). Over here, the managers and stuff requires everybody, you got a kid out, adults got to be with them. And she would do that. Go to the park. But yeah, we’re all stunned,” Tim Turner, another neighbor said.

Turner said the entire neighborhood was in mourning for King.

“This community is totally rocked with this. None of us thought that that would happen,” Turner said.

The child has been taken to the Knox County Forensics Lab where an autopsy is scheduled.

---

Daycare workers describe Lenoir City boy as 'energetic' and 'a sweetheart'

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) - The community is reacting with shock and grief to the death of a 3-year-old boy in Lenoir City.

Investigators say King Brown was stabbed to death and have accused his mother in the crime.

Lenoir City Police Chief Don White said Brown's own mother, 38-year-old Melani Sue Brown, is the suspect in the boy's death early Wednesday morning, and that charges are expected soon.

WVLT News spoke to workers at an area daycare. They said King used to stay there and are in disbelief that the sweet, funny boy they used to care for will never return.

Kari' Burton runs Young at Heart Learning Academy at Maryville and Lenoir City locations where King received care. "King was energetic, he was hyper. But he's a sweetheart. You know he kept you on your toes, but he was almost like a little comedian." She said workers are grieving.

Burton said she always did what she could to help any child in need, including King, "I noticed one time his shoes were too little. I bought him some shoes."

After King's death at home, the Department of Children's Services said it has opened an investigation into the case. During a press briefing the morning of King's death, Police Chief White said he had no details about specific reports to DCS, but said, "We know that there were several DCS referrals over the past 3 years."

---

Sheriff: DCS got 'several referrals' in connection to Lenoir City mom

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) — The Lenoir City Police Chief said there were several referrals made to the Department of Children's Services over the last three years in connection to a woman accused of stabbing and killing her three-year-old son.

Investigators said three-year-old King Brown died after being found with multiple stab wounds on March 11. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brown's mother, Melani Sue Brown, is expected to be charged Wednesday afternoon.

According to investigators, the mother called the child's grandmother saying something was wrong. When the grandmother arrived at the apartment she found the 3-year-old with stab wounds, tried to revive the child and called 911.

On Wednesday, just before 3 a.m., emergency crews said they were called to McGhee Square apartments in Lenoir City in connection to the incident.

EMS said the child's mother was found in a residence with wounds to her upper torso and neck area. She was taken to UT Medical Center with self-inflicted injuries. Her condition was unknown as of Wednesday afternoon.