Newark mother, boyfriend charged with manslaughter in 7-year-old boy's death

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A Newark mother and her boyfriend are now charged with manslaughter in the death of the woman's 7-year-old son.

Earlier in the week, 29-year-old Christopher Spearman was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, while 28-year-old Khadejrah Rawls was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the death of Michael Moore, Jr.

The child was found unresponsive Sunday morning by emergency crews responding to a North Munn Avenue home and was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital.

A memorial is growing outside the home. The boy's favorite books lie next to mourning candles, below a sheet completely covered in messages of sadness, and the child's father, Michael Moore Sr., continues his own memorial to his son on social media.

The Essex County Prosecutors Office says it has removed four other children from the home, a 6-year-old, 4-year-old, 2-year-old and 2-month-old.

A neighbor says she'd never heard anything suggesting Moore and his four siblings were in danger.

"My bedroom wall is right here," said neighbor Janice Bowman. "I heard her yell at them but never viciously, never hurt them."

The upgraded charges came after the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.

The child died from multiple blunt impact injuries, according to Assistant Prosecutor Amber Loughran, who is handling the case.

Bail is now set at $750,000 for Rawls and $1 million for Spearman.