Stepfather charged with 1st-degree murder in death of boy, 6

Stepfather threatened siblings if they would not join in, police say

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives say a 6-year-old boy is dead after his stepfather threw him against a wall at a Florida motel.

Jack Junior Montgomery, 31, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Brice Russell.

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Shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday, Montgomery called 911 to report he found his stepson unresponsive inside their room at the Masters Inn in Seffner, Florida.

Upon arrival, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue personnel found the child laying in a bed. He was pronounced dead at 10:59 a.m.

Investigators say the child and his three siblings were in Montgomery's care while their mom, 28-year-old Donya Shenita Russell, was at work.

His siblings told investigators they woke up to find the 6-year-old in tears. They said they had witnessed Montgomery hit Brice and throw him around the room.

They said their stepfather threatened them with violence if they would not join in and punch their brother, and one ended up striking the child out of fear.

Investigators said the children watched Montgomery pick Brice up by the leg and throw him into a shelf along a wall. They saw blood running out of the child's nose and mouth, and said their brother never woke up after that.

Montgomery was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree murder.

His bailis set at $87,000.