A mother has been arraigned on murder charges in connection with the April 25 death of her three-year-old son

(OCSO, June 15, 2024)

Pontiac, MI – A Flint mother was arraigned today on murder charges in connection with the April 25 death of her 3-year-old son. Latonya Shante Thomas, 27, is in the Oakland County Jail on a $1 million bond set by 50th District Court Judge Ronda Gross.

Thomas is also charged with first-degree child abuse.

She is charged with the death of Zaveion Thomas.

“Some of the most horrific cases we see in law enforcement involve the death of a child due to violence,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “It’s hard to imagine anyone hurting such a precious young life, and those who abuse a child must be held fully accountable.”

Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call at a residence at 100 Perry Place for a report of an unresponsive 3-year-old male. Upon arrival, deputies saw Thomas attempting to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the child. Paramedics transported Zaveion to the hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

An autopsy later revealed that the child had suffered injuries consistent with an assault. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

During the investigation, detectives determined that the child’s mother attacked him, causing injuries that led to his death. Thomas was arrested without incident Thursday in Flint by the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team. Her next court date is a probable cause conference on June 25 before Judge Jeremy Bowie.

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