A family is devastated after their 13-month-old boy lost his life unexpectedly.
Mikayla Tweedie drove up to her house with an “acquaintance” in the passenger seat and her toddler son, Zarion, in his car seat in the back. She popped into her home for a few minutes to “drop off a cat,” and when she returned, the car was gone.
Her companion, Antwineesha Burse, 31, had taken off with the car and the child.
Shocked and panicking, Tweedie called Burse and begged her to return the boy.
It was later learned that Burse was an unlicensed driver, and the boy was not secured in his car seat.
The Milwaukee Police Department said Burse was driving a Pontiac which crashed into a Dodge Caravan on Friday, January 27, at around 11:30 pm. The little boy was killed.
First responders at the accident scene found the baby awake and crying. He was still in his car seat, facing face down on the floor.
Zarion was pronounced dead at around 1:10 am, two hours after the accident.
Tweedie was shocked at what Burse had done. She said she knew her well enough not to suspect she would steal her car and her child.
Burse had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody by police.
Zarion’s father, Eddie Anthony, told a local news outlet that he wants justice for his son’s death. He said the baby did not deserve to die, and that the family was heartbroken.
The family organized a vigil for Zarion on Tuesday night at the crash site, where loved ones and locals mourned the toddler.
If convicted, Burse could get prison time for up to six years and pay a fine of up to $10,000.
