COLUMBUS, Ohio-Five-year-old Darnell Taylor’s post-mortem examination conducted by the Franklin County Coroner’s office revealed that he died from suffocation due to a crushed neck. Pammy Maye, his guardian, now faces murder charges in connection with his death and is detained in Franklin County jail.
Darnell, subject of a Valentine’s Day Amber Alert, was found deceased in a storm drain two days after his disappearance. Maye directed investigators to his body and the autopsy indicated signs of decomposition and alcohol in his system. Bruising and petechiae suggested suffocation. Despite being healthy, Maye’s trial, focusing on her mental state, is set for late June, with the possibility of postponement due to pending psychological assessments.
