Toddler's Death Ruled 29th Homicide In Allen County In 2010

It’s a staggering statistic for Fort Wayne and Allen County. There have been nearly 30 homicides in 2010.

"You can help control larceny, burglary, robbery But rape and homicides, there is little control” Fort Wayne Police Chief Rusty York told FOX Fort Wayne back in February.

The area saw 29 homicides this year. Four homicides happened within just the first month, all on the city's southeast side. The number of homicides is up from 21 last year.

Back in March, a woman was found dead inside her home on U-S 27.

It was the first homicide to happen outside city limits in several years.

Another death outside city limits sent shockwaves through Huntertown.

In May, Paul Michalik was beaten to death. Michalik's partner says it happened because he was gay. Indiana doesn't currently have a law protecting against hate crimes involving sexual orientation.

This summer two shootings happened, within 24 hours, at the same spot near Anthony and Pettit. Police say the shootings were unrelated. One man died.

Gang activity was up last month. Three shootings happened in one week.

two people were killed.

"It's been a continual problem not only in Fort Wayne, but nationwide” York said last month.

Several children were also among this year's homicides.

In September, an 11-month-old boy suffered a fractured skull and died.

The mother's boyfriend was watching the baby at time. Brandon Black said the baby fell down the stairs but doctors say that's not possible.

“No second professional opinion was seeked, no cross examination” Black told FOX Fort Wayne.

Earlier this month LaDawn Johnson took her dead baby to a day-care instead of calling 9-1-1.

And just yesterday police found the body of a young boy in a house on Wabash avenue. Latisha Lawson told police that she killed her son, Jezaih around Thanksgiving last year. She said that she couldn't take his temper tantrums. Reports say she gave him olive oil and vinegar until he stopped breathing. She then wrapped him in a blanket and had been toting around his body ever since.

Preliminary autopsy results shows that Jezaih King choked to death.

DNA testing results still need to be completed for positive identification.

The boy's death is the latest homicide in Fort Wayne and Allen County.