Mom’s boyfriend Kemra Nesta Matthew accused of killing 2-year-old

A Clayton County man already jailed for allegedly causing severe injuries to a child is now accused of killing another child, police said Thursday.

Kemra Nesta Matthew, 30, of a Jonesboro address, is accused of killing 2-year-old Jadien Harvey on July 11 at the apartment where Matthew lived with his girlfriend and her children, according to Clayton County police. Matthew faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in connection with the toddler’s death, Lt. Chris Windley said.

Matthew already faces charges for allegedly injuring a 4-year-old in the same home. He was arrested Aug. 8 on first degree child cruelty and aggravated assault charges and has since remained in the Clayton County jail without bond.

In July, Matthew was caring for his girlfriend’s four children when they all were transported to the hospital, but the 2-year-old did not survive, police previously said.

The GBI conducted an autopsy on the child, but the cause of death has not been released.

Matthew has denied hurting the children, police previously said. But the 4-year-old told them Matthew punched him in the stomach, causing him to vomit, and punched the 2-year-old, according to police.

Matthew’s criminal history includes spending nearly three years at Calhoun State Prison following a conviction on various drug charges, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. He was incarcerated in June 2006 and released from prison in March 2009, records show.