Virginia woman beats boyfriend's child to death, now indicted for murder, police say

A Virginia woman accused of beating her boyfriend’s baby to death in September 2020 was indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

On Sept.17, 2020, Megan Marie Paris, 30, was taking care of the 3-year-old child, police said.

Ian Berger, 3, was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of severe head injuries and died the next morning, according to authorities.

At Paris’ bond hearing last year, Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul McAndrews referred to Berger’s death as a “potential homicide,” The News & Advance reported.

McAndrews said the potential charge was due to the severity of the toddler’s injuries, as well as the changing stories Paris made to police.

According to medical examiners, the boy’s injuries were on the same level of force behind a car crash.

McAndrews stated Ian’s father found a cracked soap dish and soiled pair of child’s pants in the trash. Paris was investigated by Child Protective Services months the child's fatal injuries, according to authorities. 

The first-degree murder charge for Paris is in addition to previous charges of aggravated malicious wounding and child abuse or neglect, police said.

Paris is being held at the Amherst County Adult Detention Center without bond and her case is scheduled for an October trial.