A 4-year-old boy named Xander has died in Aurora, Colorado, after investigators say he was subjected to severe “boot camp”-style punishment by his mother and a family friend.
Police responded on May 23 to an emergency call and found the child unconscious. He was taken to hospital but later died.
According to investigators and court documents, his mother, 23-year-old Destini Rose Lipsky, believed she was struggling with his behavior and allowed a family friend, 24-year-old Alexander Martinez-Armstrong, to help discipline him. Authorities say the punishments included repeated belt beatings and harsh physical exercises like push-ups and wall sits.
Investigators allege the child was struck multiple times on the day he died, with Martinez-Armstrong reportedly admitting to hitting him at least 21 times. Witness accounts also described hearing the boy screaming during the abuse.
Martinez-Armstrong has been charged with first-degree murder, while Lipsky faces child abuse resulting in death. Both are in custody as the investigation continues, and officials are awaiting the coroner’s findings.