Jackson man accused of murdering 1-year-old

Herman Gardner (Photo courtesy of Hinds County Detention Center)

A man has been charged with capital murder for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son to death.

According to the Jackson Police Department, Herman Gardner, 31, beat Protege Hunter at the Sunset Plaza Apartments in the capital city in December of 2023. The toddler was taken to a local hospital for treatment of blunt force trauma sustained before later succumbing to his injuries.

Detective Tommie Brown says that U.S. Marshall Task Force Officers within the Jackson Police Department arrested Gardner in connection with the case. Yolanda Hunter, Protege’s mother, is charged with felony child abuse in addition to Gardner’s capital murder charge.

Officials added that this is an ongoing investigation and urge the public to contact Crime Stoppers at (601)355-8477 or JPD at (601)960-1234 if they have information regarding the case.

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By Ben Milam

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Ben Milam is a multimedia journalist for SuperTalk Mississippi News. Prior to joining the news team, he spent three years as a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster at the NCAA Division I, NJCAA, and high school levels – including time with William Carey, ESPN+, and most recently as the voice of the University of Louisiana Monroe women’s basketball team. He also is a staff writer for Big Gold Nation of the Rivals Network. Ben is a born-and-raised Mississippian and a graduate of Southern Miss. For inquiries or story tips, email [email protected].