By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – 5-year-old died of head injury, ruled homicide
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The death of a 5-year-old girl that has led to a criminal investigation of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services has been ruled a homicide.
An autopsy by the state medical examiner says Serenity Deal died from a head injury due to assault and said the manner of death is homicide.
The girl died June 4 after being placed in the custody of her father by DHS despite twice being injured during visits with him.
The father Sean Devon Brooks is charged with first-degree murder in the case. Brooks says the girl fell in a shower.
DHS put four employees on leave in connection with the case and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal inquiry into how DHS handled the placement of the girl.