Brooklyn man faces murder charges in death of three-year-old neighbor

April 30, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP

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District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the indictment of a 29-year-old from East Flatbush for his alleged involvement in the murder of a three-year-old child.

Kevin James was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on Monday and faces severe charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree manslaughter and kidnapping charges.

James was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on June 20, 2024. If convicted of the top charge, James faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

“Denim Brown was an innocent child whose life ended in unthinkable violence, allegedly at the hands of this defendant,” District Attorney Gonzalez said. “We are determined to see that this defendant is held responsible for this crime. Our hearts are with the boy’s mother and loved ones as they grieve this horrific loss.”

On March 17, 2024, Denim was being cared for by James’ stepfather, with whom he frequently stayed as the families lived in the same building. During the evening, James allegedly lured Denim from his stepfather’s apartment to a vacant apartment within the same building. This act went unnoticed until the stepfather, upon realizing Denim was no longer in his apartment, initiated a frantic search for the boy.

The search culminated at approximately 9:30 P.M. when Denim was found face down in a bathtub full of water in the vacant apartment. He exhibited severe signs of physical assault.

Investigators were able to link James to the scene when they discovered James’ credit card. The autopsy report concluded that the primary cause of Denim’s death was drowning, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head and body.

The case is being handled by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Newcombe of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the leadership of Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan and Bureau Chief Miss Gregory.