ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man is facing murder charges after allegedly beating his mother to death, the St. Petersburg Police Department said.
Jontrell Collins, 29, is charged with 2nd-degree murder, according to an arrest affidavit. Police said he used his fists and an "unknown weapon" to beat his mother, 60-year-old Harriet Owens. She died as a result of the attack, police said.
The department said officers were called around 11:30 a.m. Sunday to Owens' home on 3rd Avenue South after a family member asked for a welfare check after they said they weren't able to reach her.
According to the affidavit, Collins was found inside the home — where he and his mother lived together — when police arrived. Collins was asked to step outside as officers went inside to look for Owens. The woman was found dead with multiple injuries and defensive wounds, police said.