A 3-year-old reportedly suffered an injury in a fall, but police say his mom caused his death

Mar. 11 2022, Published 11:17 a.m. ET
A mom tried to say her 3-year-old child suffered fatal injuries in a fall, but police arrested her on suspicion of murder.
On Jan. 1, the victim was taken to a Tennessee hospital by ambulance, according to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office. That was after first responders were called to a home for an unresponsive child.
The child died about 10 days later.
Investigators said the victim’s injuries were inflicted by his mom, Brenda Dawn Behunin, 33, and not as initially reported to investigators as a fall.
This week, deputies arrested Behunin on charges of first-degree felony murder, aggravated child abuse under 6 years old, first-degree murder and two counts of child neglect.
She is being held in Sevier County jail on $1 million bond.
