Aunt, boyfriend accused of beating 1-year-old to death while babysitting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - A Tennessee couple are behind bars after being accused of beating a 1-year-old girl to death.

Kiya Moore, 21, and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Dejon Smith, are charged in connection to the death of Moore’s 1-year-old niece, Kali Moore. The charges include first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect, WMC reports.

Kali’s great-grandparents are overwhelmed with grief at her loss but even more stunned at who Memphis Police named as the suspects.

“We’ve never had to deal with a situation like this, so we really don’t know how,” said Margaret Calicott, Kali’s great-grandmother.

Moore and Smith appeared in Shelby County Court on Monday. According to court documents, the two were babysitting Kali for two days at a Midtown home on University Street.

The 1-year-old received multiple injuries and was rushed, unresponsive, to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital around 3 a.m. Saturday. She was pronounced dead about an hour later.

According to a doctor at Le Bonheur, Kali had multiple skull and neck fractures, a bruised kidney consistent with abdominal trauma and blood in her lungs.

Moore and Smith gave police conflicting statements on how the 1-year-old got hurt, with each one saying the injuries happened when the other was alone with her.

“[Kali’s] mother was the one who really took it hard. She couldn’t take it, so her mom took her home,” Margaret Calicott said.

Police also noted that there was no baby food in the couple’s home, and it’s unclear if the baby had a suitable or safe place to sleep.

After the court hearing, Kali’s great-grandparents expressed how the past three days have been filled with endless agony.

“We saw our great-grandbaby die, and we recognize how hurt our granddaughter is about it,” said Deacon James Calicott, Kali’s great-grandfather.

Despite hearing the heartbreaking allegations against Moore, her family says there’s one thing that will not change.

“All I can say is what I’ve said: We will always love Kali, and we will always love Kiya because we are a loving family,” said Deacon Calicott as he began to cry.

WMC discovered Moore was out on bond after being indicted on separate aggravated child abuse charges in February 2022. Her court date for those charges is set for Aug. 29.

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