Couple charged in connection with death of 3-year-old boy in Penn Hills

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A couple is facing charges in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy in Penn Hills.

Allegheny County Police said officers were called to the 300 block of Dorothy Drive at 12:43 p.m. on Wednesday for reports of a child who was not breathing.

A 3-year-old boy was taken to a local hospital from the scene, where he was pronounced dead. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the boy as Devin Goodson.

Detectives said the child showed obvious signs of abuse, including multiple healing and active bone fractures. Following witness interviews, police determined that the boy’s mother, Lagomau Malu, 23, physically abused him on multiple occasions.

Malu is facing charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. She is being held at the Allegheny County Jail.

On Thursday, police said they have also charged Malu’s partner, Adam Chirico, 22, in connection with the child’s death.

Chirico, Devin’s biological father, allegedly told police that he was aware of the mistreatment and did nothing about it.

Malu and Chirico have a 2-year-old son together, whom Chirico fled the area with at the time.

Chirico is facing charges of endangering the welfare of children and endangering another person.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner is working to determine the child’s cause and manner of death.

“A tragic and unexpected death of a child is a matter that we handle with the utmost seriousness,” said District Attorney Stephen Zappala. “Pending a determination of the cause of death by the Medical Examiner’s Office, additional charges, including homicide, may be filed.”

Neighbors Channel 11 spoke with could not believe it.

“Every time I’d see them, they were like in the car seat or a stroller – no fussing, no argument, nice family, that’s all I can say. It’s sad that something like this happened to a little kid – breaks my heart,” said Bill Johnson, a grandfather of six who lives across the street.

Malu remains in the Allegheny County Jail. Chirico is out on a non-monetary bond.

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