MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Thursday that a criminal court jury late Wednesday found a Memphis man guilty as indicted for killing his two-year-old daughter in July 2008.

The jury convicted DeAndre Blake, 21, for first degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse and first degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect.  Blake was automatically sentenced to life in prison.

According to testimony, on July 28, 2008, Memphis police were called to an apartment on Turkey Run Lane where they found Dre’Ona Blake unresponsive.  DeAndre Blake, the victim’s father, told police the two-year-old became unresponsive after eating a bologna sandwich.  Memphis fire paramedics transported the young victim to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center where doctors pronounced her dead.  An examination of the victim’s body showed the child suffered multiple wounds, bruises and trauma.  The medical examiner’s office ruled the child died from multiple, blunt force trauma.

Blake was out on bond for an unrelated second degree murder charge at the time of the victim’s death.  That case is still pending.

First degree murder is a charge covered by the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions to the policy are made only for legal or ethical reasons.

Assistant District Attorneys J. Robert Carter and Scot Bearup prosecuted this case. Both prosecutors are assigned to the Child Protection Investigation Team (CPIT) which handles cases of severe physical child abuse and child sexual abuse.