Raleigh father charged with murder in 5-year-old son's death, family said boy was 'beaten all over'

A Raleigh man has been charged with the murder of his 5-year-old son.

Police officers on Sunday night responded to a report of a child assault at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, where the boy was being treated.

According to an arrest warrant, the boy, Karter Holloway, was abused so badly that it caused the child's brain to hemorrhage.

Amir Devon Hines, 24, was initially charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. He was later charged with murder.

Holloway loved superheroes and being in the water. He also loved his grandmother.

"He loved me," grandma Tiffani Holloway said. "He couldn't talk. He had words but he didn't talk in sentences. He had ways of letting you know."

The 5-year-old had autism and was non-verbal.

Karter's presents still sit under the Christmas tree at Holloway's house unopened. He was spending the holiday with his dad.

"Those were for him," Holloway said, pointing to the gifts. "I can't put them up."

Holloway said Hines told her he fell in the shower Sunday. Hospital staff said the child's injuries are consistent with a serious injury.

"Medical reports told us the medical truth," Holloway said. "Which was he was beaten all over. Karter had bruises from head to toe."

The 5-year-old died at 8:11 p.m. on New Year's Day.

In court, Hines showed no remorse when the judge said Karter had died.

Holloway said her faith is helping her through the tragedy. However, she is haunted by her grandson's last minutes.

"I just can't imagine how my grandbaby felt in that moment," Holloway said. "However long it took."

The family has started a GoFundMe to cover the funeral costs.

Hines will be back in court on Jan. 22. No bond has been set.