Judge Schedules Trial for Co-Defendants Accused of Child Abuse

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Two co-defendants charged with first-degree murder received a trial date in October on March 2 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Dion Ball, 44, and Stefanie Colon, 32, are charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, two counts of second-degree child abuse, first and second degree assault, and neglect of a minor in connection to an incident on Jan. 26, 2021.

During reception court on Tuesday, Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented Colon and Ball the same plea of life for first-degree murder.

Defense attorney’s David Williams and William Buie rejected the plea for Ball and Colon, respectively.

According to Fox 45 News, on Jan. 26, 2021, patrol officers were called to an area hospital for reports of possible child abuse. They found 15-year-old Hezekiah Pettiford unresponsive and being treated by medical personnel.

The victim’s death was determined to be caused by blunt force trauma, said police.

Ball and Colon’s trial is scheduled to be tried together on Oct. 17.