26/01/2024
On December 23, 1994, 2 year old Byron Cummins was found dead in his home on Holyhock Street, Deltona, Florida.
His remains showed signs of trauma and his death was ruled a homicide.
According to police documents Byron was found in his crib with a washcloth “corkscrewed” into his mouth. A red plastic hair tie was found in his esophagus. Byron’s 3 year old sister, Holli Yarrington, was in the room when his death occurred. Her testimony was a key piece of evidence in this case, however it was not enough to close it.
Three adults were present at the house the night of Byron’s death. They were, 19 year old Sandra Yarrington (Byron’s mother), 23 year old Shawn McNew (Sandra’s boyfriend), and McNew’s nephew, 21 year old Ian Soliz.
Police attempted to contact the three adults over a month, but none were able to be reached. It was reported that Sandra had moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, while the men were said to have stayed in the Deltona area.
During the investigation, it was found that the three adults had been drinking that night. Yarrington and Soliz told police that McNew had scolded the kids early on the morning of December 23rd because they wouldn’t sleep.
Detectives filed a charging affidavit against Shawn McNew. A year and a half after his death, 4 year old Holli would testify for a grand jury that she saw who put the washcloth in her brothers mouth, taping it shut to stop him from crying. A grand jury decided he was slain, but did not decide who did it. Nobody has ever been indicted for his murder.
