Trial ordered for Philly man accused of killing boy with drain cleaner because he was crying

Trial ordered in Pa. child’s drain cleaner death

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man accused of killing a toddler by rubbing drain cleaner on him because he was crying has been ordered to stand trial.

Police say 34-year-old Aaron Pace was baby-sitting 20-month-old Suliaman Kirkland in February when he doused a rag with the caustic substance and rubbed it onto the boy’s skin.

Defense attorney Fred Goodman argued unsuccessfully Tuesday the charge against his client should be reduced from first- to third-degree murder because there was no evidence he intended to kill the boy.

But Assistant District Attorney Christine Wechsler says Pace took care not to burn himself. She says the boy had a “slow and painful death.”

The judge agreed, saying Pace at first lied about what happened so the boy wasn’t treated for chemical burns.

Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com