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CNN Live Today

Brother Burns Brother

Aired June 27, 2002 - 12:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now on to New York, where a mother is now suffering the loss of both of her sons, one allegedly killed by the other; 4-year-old Nyquest Tearney died after his 7-year- old brother set him on fire. The 7-year-old is facing assault charges and could face a charge of manslaughter now.

Our Jason Carroll sat down with the boy's grieving mother in Syracuse.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nyquest Tearney was a happy 4-year-old boy who was quick to smile and loved playing as much as he loved his 7-year-old brother.

TANYA TEARNEY, MOTHER: He was just the joy of my life.

CARROLL: His mother showed us pictures of Nyquest, but cannot show us his older brother or even reveal his name, because he is a juvenile and he is facing serious charges. The 7-year-old, her son, killed Nyquest, his only brother, after setting him on fire. His mother says it was an accident.

TEARNEY: In my heart of hearts, I know that my 7-year-old son would not have done this, to hurt this little brother. That was his little brother.

CARROLL: The incident happened on Saturday at this home in Syracuse, New York. Police say the 7-year-old poured lighter fluid on his little brother while he was sleeping, lit a match, and set him on fire.

OCTAVIA JONES, GREAT AUNT: My sister heard screams. She ran out of the bedroom. And the baby was on fire. She grabbed him. My nephew ran upstairs. They put him in the bathtub. And, from then on, it was just horrific.

CARROLL: Nyquest had second- and third-degree burns covering 95 percent of his body. Doctors took him to the Shriners Hospital in Boston for treatment, but they could not save the toddler. Nyquest died Tuesday morning.

JONES: I have lost two babies. I have lost my little baby, my Ny. And I have loved my other baby. TEARNEY: I lost my son. It seems like I'm looking both of my sons. And I'm like -- I feel like I'm going to fall apart.

CARROLL: The Tearneys are a close family, but they have no idea why the 7-year-old committed such a terrible act. They describe him as a normal child who hasn't had any problems in the past. He is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at this facility in Syracuse. The county attorney there has charged the little boy with assault, but he could end up facing manslaughter charges as well.

ANTHONY RIVIZZIGNO, SYRACUSE CO. ATTORNEY: What will happen here is very difficult to say at this point in time. I would hate to make a prediction.

TEARNEY: I already told him that I love him very much and that it was an accident. And I have no hurtful feelings towards him, no hatred, nothing like that. I know people probably would think that, but I don't. I love my sons, both of my sons.

CARROLL (on camera): A family court judge will ultimately decide what happens to the 7-year-old. His mother wants him to receive counseling. But, despite everything that has happened, she says she also wants him home with his family, where she says he belongs.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Syracuse, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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