Tulsa Boy Dies; Mother's Boyfriend Arrested

The 1-year-old boy died after being injured Tuesday at a Tulsa apartment complex.

Wednesday, February 11th 2009, 3:48 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Boy Dies; Mother's Boyfriend Arrested

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the death of his girlfriend's 1-year-old son.

Gericho Griffin was injured about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment complex near 9300 E. 64^th St., police said. He was taken in critical condition with severe brain trauma to St. Francis Hospital, where he died about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The mother's boyfriend, Rico Green, had been watching Gericho at the child's grandmother's apartment.

According to an arrest report, police determined Green "injured Gericho by holding him around his ribs with his hands and shaking him back and forth."

Gericho Griffin

When Gericho became unresponsive, Green called 911. In an interview with detectives, he admitted to picking the child up and shaking him because Gericho was handling the toilet plunger in the bathroom, the report states.

Green was arrested about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday on a complaint of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond at the Tulsa County Jail.

A fund has been established to help the family of Gericho at the Bank of Oklahoma. Donations can be made to the Gericho Griffin Fund at any Bank of Oklahoma branch.