District Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder In
Killing of His Then-Girlfriend’s 20-Month-Old Child
- Defendant Was Asked to Babysit for the Child -

     WASHINGTON - Jonathan Fullard, 28, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge of second-degree murder in the killing of his former girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

      Fullard pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable William M. Jackson scheduled sentencing for Nov. 30, 2012. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 40 years in prison.

      According to a proffer of facts, signed by the defendant as well as the government, on March 4, 2012, Fullard was babysitting his then-girlfriend’s 20-month-old son, Keyontae Osbia Moore, at a residence in the 3000 block of 30th Street SE while she went to work. At about 3 a.m. on March 5, 2012, Fullard called his then-girlfriend and stated that the toddler had stopped breathing. Keyontae was initially taken to United Medical Center, and later transferred to Children’s National Medical Center, where physicians found trauma to his head, and body. The child died on March 5, 2012 from multiple blunt force trauma.

      The District of Columbia medical examiner’s office ruled the case a homicide. The evidence indicates that Fullard was the only person caring for the child at the time of his injuries.

      Initially, when questioned by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the defendant provided a false name of “Jonathan Mason” and was released. After the child’s death, Fullard’s true name was discovered and he was subsequently arrested on March 12, 2012.

      In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives and officers who investigated the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kelly Blakeney and Victim Advocates Tamara Ince and Marcey Rinker. Finally, he praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia G. Wright, who is prosecuting the case.