Concerns about the young defendant’s home life surfaced almost immediately after the killing, records showed. His injuries were noted soon after he was taken to Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.

“Jamarion is currently covered with bruises and reported to several individuals that his stepfather caused the injuries,” a report said.

His mother allegedly told a CPS worker “that since June 2014, she and Mr. Harrold have been continuously threatening to give Jamarion Lawhorn a ‘whoppin’ on a daily basis, despite knowing the physical abuse history in the home and receiving services to change their parenting practices,” records said.

In the hours after the killing, Kentwood police used a search warrant at the defendant’s home at 5600 Jefferson Ave. SE. Police found the house “to be in an unsafe and deplorable condition” with drug paraphernalia, which tested positive for cocaine, found in a bathroom, Akers said in court records.

There was only “minimal” food in the house. There were no sheets or bedding on the children beds while clothes were scattered throughout the house, Akers wrote. The utilities had recently been shut off despite a $3,000 monthly household income. They were about to be evicted, too.

The mother had been evicted from three homes in Calhoun County from 2006 to 2010, records showed.

Anita Lawhorn and Harrold told investigators they both have mental health issues but have not been taking prescribed medication. She said she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. He said he has PTSD and anxiety.

Both tested positive for cocaine, investigators said in court records.
This was an all but certain to be scenario....