Illegal immigrant charged in toddler's kicking death

Press staff reports

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS August 23, 2007 11:21 am

— Charges were filed Wednesday in connection with the kicking death of a Coweta toddler.
Michael Hernandez was ordered held in the Wagoner County Jail without bond. He's charged with killing Kelynn Byrd, 2, earlier this month.
The toddler's mother was Hernandez's girlfriend. Investigators said after Hernandez and the boy's mother had a fight, she left the house, leaving the child with Hernandez.
The victim died from blunt chest and abdominal trauma. Hernandez allegedly confessed to repeatedly kicking Kelynn in the chest.
Authorities contacted the Mexican consulate after Hernandez's court appearance because he is in the country illegally.
In another area case, two men have been arrested after being charged with first-degree murder and endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine in Westville.
Christopher Paul Dempsey was apprehended Wednesday in Washington County, Ark.., and is expected to voluntarily return to Oklahoma. Oscar Crosby Bartlett was arrested Tuesday night by Adair County deputies.
Prosecutors allege Bartlett and Dempsey were involved in the commission of a felony (endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine) when Mandi Murray was burned in a fire at the location and later died from her injuries.