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Boy, 3, beaten to death for drinking from milk jug, officials say

Xavier Mokarzel-Satchel found unconscious at Orange County apartments

ORLANDO, Fla. – New details have been released in the murder investigation of a toddler who was beaten to death.

Xavier Mokarzel-Satchel, 3, died of blunt force trauma Friday evening after he was taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital when he was found unconscious inside an apartment on Silver Star Road, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

According to an arrest report, the child's mother, Brandi Mokarzel, said she woke up to the sound of her girlfriend's mother, Callene Barton, yelling at Xavier for drinking from a milk jug and eating yogurt.

Mokarzel told deputies she witnessed her girlfriend, Lakesha Lewis, beat the toddler with a plastic wand used to turn window blinds, according to the arrest report.

After taking her son to her bedroom, Mokarzel said Barton then grabbed the boy and threw him down a hallway, the document said.

Records show Xavier began shaking like he was having a seizure.

He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Lewis and Barton were charged with aggravated child abuse and first-degree murder. A judge denied bail for both women over the weekend.

Deputies said Lewis' 4-year-old son, who also lived in the apartment, was placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

Mokarzel was also arrested and charged with child neglect. She told investigators Barton and Lewis have hit Xavier in the past, officials said.

According to the report, the toddler had healing injuries, which showed signs of prior abuse.

Mokarzel is scheduled to appear before a judge Monday. The state is expected to provide further clarification for her charge of neglect.


About the Author
Mark Lehman headshot

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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