CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The medical examiner released the autopsy report Friday for a 4-year-old girl who died on Christmas Eve.
The medical examiner determined that Mariya Owens’ cause of death was due to blunt force injuries of the abdomen.
Officers were called to Timber Commons Lane near Monroe Road in southeast Charlotte and found the little girl unresponsive.
It was first reported that she choked on a toy, according to the medical examiner’s report. The autopsy examination did not find any airway obstruction, but it did reveal that Mariya suffered extensive, severe blunt force injuries to the abdomen and head.
[PAST COVERAGE: Man accused of killing 4-year-old girl on Christmas Eve given public defender]
Demarcus Heath, the boyfriend of the girl’s mother, was charged in Mariya’s death.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- 4-year-old girl died from blunt force trauma injuries on Christmas Eve, autopsy shows
- Hundreds of Lowe's customers' personal information compromised
- Man tries to take toddler from mother at Shelby Walmart
- WATCH: Daddy dog teaches his puppies to swim in heartwarming viral video
- North Carolina school district to close ahead of protest