Police charge city man with 2nd-degree murder in toddler’s death

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Major Crimes van parked outside the residence where Jacob Pelletier, 2, was found unresponsive on Dec. 11, 2017. Photo/Jeffrey Hastings

MANCHESTER, NH — Police have made an arrest in connection with the murder of Jacob Pelletier, age 2.

Mark Heath, 32, of 551 Howe Street, second floor, Manchester,  was arrested Dec. 13 and charged with two counts of second-degree murder. One charge alleges that he acted knowingly and one charge alleges that he acted recklessly. Both charges allege that Heath caused Jacob Pelletier’s death by  inflicting blunt force trauma to his abdomen.

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Heath/MPD

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Heath’s arraignment is expected to take place in Hillsborough County Superior Court, Northern District, in Manchester at 1 p.m. on Dec. 14.

Susan G. Morrell, Senior Assistant Attorney General, would not say what relationship if any there is between Heath and the child. However, a downstairs neighbor has identified Heath to a media outlet as the live-in boyfriend of Pelletier’s mother.

The charges and allegations in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Manchester NH Police Department

This press release was issued by Manchester, NH, Police Department.