A man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 3-month-old son, according to law enforcement in Knoxville, Tennessee. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of September 12, when police responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at an apartment on Forestal Drive.
Details of the Arrest
At approximately 8 p.m., officers were called to the scene where they found the infant in critical condition. Despite being rushed to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, the child succumbed to his injuries shortly after midnight. The injuries were described as severe in an initial press release.
Alleged Confession and Investigation
The suspect, 18-year-old Adrien Dokes, was detained at the scene and later questioned by the Knoxville Police Department. During an interview, Dokes reportedly admitted to squeezing his son’s neck and chin out of frustration, causing the child to struggle to breathe. He also allegedly confessed to pushing down hard on the infant’s abdomen. The victim’s autopsy will further determine the cause of death and assess the extent of the injuries.
Legal Proceedings
Dokes is currently being held in the Knox County Jail with a bond set at $1 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for a bond hearing on September 15. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
