Wicked stepmother condemned boy, 7, to horrific death after he hurt a chicken, police say
A Florida stepmother faces charges after allegedly leaving her naked 5-year-old stepson to drown in a sewage-filled pit as 'punishment' for hurting a chicken.
Cheyenne Star Fite, 25, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated manslaughter by child abuse after the horrific October death of Riley Scot Hogeback at their rural property in Kissimmee, Florida.
One of Riley's siblings told investigators that Fite had stripped the boy naked and forced him outside as punishment for allegedly hurting a chicken earlier that day, in court documents obtained by Law & Crime.
The child also claimed Fite was sleeping in bed while Riley drowned - contradicting the stepmother's story about folding clothes.
Emergency crews responding to the tragedy found Riley 'unresponsive, naked and covered in mud' after he plunged into a massive 15ft by 10ft hole that had been dug next to a pig pen.
The makeshift pit, which measured an astounding 7 feet deep, was filled with what police described as foul-smelling water contaminated with pig waste and sewage.
Despite being rushed to HCA Florida Osceola East Emergency, Riley was pronounced dead at 6:17 pm.
Medical examiners later found his lungs were 'lined by brown and green mud.'
Cheyenne Star Fite, 25, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated manslaughter by child abuse after the horrific October death of Riley Scot Hogeback at their rural property in Kissimmee, Florida
One of Riley's siblings told investigators that Fite had stripped the boy naked and forced him outside as punishment for allegedly hurting a chicken earlier that day
Fite claimed she had merely turned her back 'for five minutes' to fold clothes while the children played in puddles left by Hurricane Helene.
She told police she initially ignored her 5-year-old daughter's screams that Riley was 'under the water.'
But investigators say the deadly pit was roughly a football field's length from the trailer where she claimed to be doing chores.
Riley's father told police he had no idea anyone had dug such a dangerous hole on his property and said he had previous concerns about Fite's supervision of his son.
Fite, who is being held without bond at Osceola County Jail, is set to appear in court on Thursday.
'Cheyenne [Fite] stated as the kids were playing, she turned her back for approximately 5 minutes to fold clothes inside the trailer,' the affidavit states.
'All of a sudden, Cheyenne [Fite] hears her 5-year-old daughter yell, '[redacted] is under the water.' Yet, Cheyenne [Fite] did not believe [her daughter] initially and continued her task.'
There was 'an odor emanating from the water consistent with fecal matter and urine.'
'There was a green child-size boogie board in the middle of the drainage ditch near the area where [the victim] was recovered,' the affidavit continued.
According to his obituary, Rileys was a 'vibrant and loving child of joy and laughter, filling the lives of all who knew him with boundless love and cherished memories.'
Emergency crews responding to the tragedy found Riley 'unresponsive, naked and covered in mud' after he plunged into a massive 15ft by 10ft hole that had been dug next to a pig pen
'Riley's infectious smile and sparkling eyes were a testament to his gentle and loving nature. He was the embodiment of kindness and had a heart that was always ready to help others. His love for life was evident in his every action, from his enthusiastic climbs to his playful impersonations of Spiderman, his favorite superhero. Riley was a source of light and happiness, and his presence was a gift to his family and friends'
'Despite his young age, Riley had already shown an impressive strength of character. He was tough, resilient, and always ready to face the world with a positive spirit.'
'He was a sweet but mischievous boy, always ready with a laugh that could light up a room. Even in challenging moments, Riley's spirit remained unbreakable, and his smile never waned. His love for life and his ability to find joy in the simplest of things were an inspiration to all who knew him.'
