German Man Charged in 2007 Infant Murder Case

A 42-year-old man from Germany has been charged with the murder of his son, who died at age 14 from complications of a severe head injury sustained as an infant in west London.

Lejunae Wood, of Wuppertal, was arrested on Thursday at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of murder and formally charged the following day with the killing of Leajunne Wood, according to the Metropolitan Police. The charge stems from an incident in December 2007 in Hayes, where Leajunne, then four months old, suffered injuries that authorities at the time described as life-changing. Leajunne passed away on December 6, 2021, after living with the effects of the trauma for nearly 14 years.

Pathologist reports completed in 2023 determined that Leajunne's death resulted directly from complications of the severe head injury he received as a baby, prompting the Metropolitan Police to open a murder investigation. "At the time, his injuries were deemed to be life-changing," the force stated in a release. "Pathologist reports, served in 2023, revealed that Leajunne had died following complications from a severe head injury."

Wood appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Saturday, where he confirmed his identity but...