BRUNSWICK, GA. | The mother and aunt of accused child killer De’Marquise Kareem Elkins, 17, were arrested Tuesday morning on felony charges of making false statements to police, Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering said.
Doering said they were arrested about 5 a.m.
De’Marquise Elkins and 14-year-old Dominique Lang are both charged with murder in the shooting death Thursday of 13-month-old Antonio Angel Santiago. Antonio was shot to death in a stroller that his mother Shelly West was pushing on a side street from their apartment facing Union Street in Brunswick’s south end. West said the older of her assailants demanded money before shooting her in the thigh and then her child in the head.
The mother, Karimah Aisha Elkins, 36, and aunt, Katrina Latrelle Elkins, 33, were booked into the Glynn County jail before 9 a.m., said Ron Corbett, undersheriff of the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office.
Both women posted $1,104 bail on the charges. Karimah Elkins was released but Katrina Elkins is being held on a probation violation charge for Henry County, Corbett said.
Records show she was charged there with speeding and driving with a suspended license, both misdemeanors.
Katrina Elkins has said publicly that her nephew was with her throughout the morning that Antonio was slain and could not have committed the crime.
Karimah Elkins refused to speak with the Times-Union before and after her son’s appearance Monday afternoon before Glynn County Magistrate Tim Barton. It is unknown what statements she has made to police.
Doering said the charge against the aunt was a re-arrest.
Lang appeared before Barton Monday morning.
Barton advised both of their rights and told them only a Superior Court judge can set bail on a murder charge.
If they are not indicted first, the pair will appear before Barton on April 5 for preliminary hearings.