Prosecutors seek death for Opelika mom and man accused in Baby Ezekiel’s Murder

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – Investigators are calling the alleged murder of one-year-old Ezekiel Norville one of the worst cases of child abuse they’ve seen, as 90% of the child’s body, including his genitals, was covered in deep purple bruises, lacerations, or burns.

Tuesday, a Lee County Judge ruled there is enough evidence to send the Capital Murder case against Ezekiel’s biological mother, 32-year-old Dorothy Hight, and her male friend, 29-year-old Seth Kendrick, to a Lee County Grand Jury to consider official indictments.

“The court finds probable cause that each of these defendants should be bound over to be considered by the grand jury for Capital Murder,” ruled Judge Russell Bush.

Opelika police were called to the 200 block of 24th Street on February 19, where they discovered Hight and Kendrick on the front porch attempting CPR on the 13-month-old baby boy, who investigators refer to as EN. During Tuesday’s probable cause, we heard from an Opelika investigator who testified Hight blamed her son’s injuries on others, including the medical staff who tried to help him.

“Hight later stated that EN only had a burn mark on his face and a bruise on his stomach when he left in the ambulance, and the hospital staff or the ambulance service must have caused all the other bruises. Hight also believes Kendrick is responsible for the death because of his erratic behavior,” Sgt. Brandon Hutto testified.

Detectives say Seth Kendrick told them the baby had fallen but was okay.

“Kendrick stated he turned around for a second and heard a thud, and EN had fallen in the shower; however, he seemed fine. Kendrick later put EN in a hammock that was hanging above the mattress, and then he went to a convenience store located on Pepperell Parkway at approximately 10:45 to buy a Coca-Cola. When he came back around 11:30, he checked on EN and noticed he was not breathing, and that’s when he woke up Hight and began CPR,” testified Sgt. Hutto.

Investigators told the court they can’t find any evidence Kendrick went to the store, but two witnesses came forward to tell police Kendrick contacted them in a panic. The conversations were memorialized in text and by a voice recording.

“The text message read: ‘man, I need you to call me right now, baby’s life is at stake, I don’t know if he is dead or not, please, please, please, please call.’ Kendrick called a witness at 12:20 AM and was crying and stated, ‘I think I killed him. I think I’m going to jail. I was only trying to help an old friend, and detectives are at my house.’”

According to court documents, Ezekiel had bruising on his forehead, cuts/burns to his right cheek and nose, and deep-colored bruises on his stomach and chest resembling the form of fists and fingers. 1/2” circular burns were located on his chest under his cheeks and chin. Ezekiel’s buttocks, legs, and thighs showed extensive bruising, and he had a soiled diaper with dried feces. Investigators say on the back and left side of Ezekiel’s head, an oval-shaped mark resembling a belt was observed, and his genitals appeared to have a cut or burn, with severe bruising in the abdominal area.

Sgt. Hutto testified the medical examiner ruled the child’s death a homicide by blunt force trauma.

“There was a brain bleed, coagulated blood on the skull, appeared to be two fractured ribs,” said Sgt. Hutto.

Investigators said when they went into the home, it was filthy, with trash and dog feces on the floor, and several meth pipes scattered around the house.

Hight’s attorney argued his client was asleep during the time of the incident, based on both the defendant’s statements. Prosecutors countered, saying the significant injuries occurred over a long period of time, causing Ezekiel to cry and scream in pain.

“The officer testified this is the worst that he has ever seen. The child is covered in head to toe with bruises, and his penis appears to have abrasions and burns. Even assuming Hight was asleep during some point in time, the time it would’ve taken to cause the extent of injuries this child sustained would cover quite a bit of time where the child would be screaming, and the child would be making noises and crying. To believe she would sleep through all this and is totally innocent is a theory by the defense, but not supported by the facts or what we know about human nature,” said District Attorney Jessica Ventiere.

The Lee County District Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty. Bond remains denied for both defendants.

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