District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced that Kandie Meinhart, 31, and her paramour Maurice Davis, 29, both of Chester, were arrested and charged with homicide for the brutal beating and murder of Meinhart’s 18-month-old daughter Li’Aziah Thomas on Jan. 20.

“The facts of this case are truly horrific: a mother and her boyfriend are literally responsible for beating to death this defenseless baby. Our investigation found that baby Li’Aziah suffered multiple blunt force injuries during her last night of life from the very people who are supposed to protect her,” said Stollsteimer. “While we are horrified this crime could happen in our community, I am thankful that because of the dedicated work of detectives and prosecutors, we will be able to bring her killers to justice.”

Chester police, the DA’s Criminal Investigation Division, and two others from the district attorney’s office aided in the investigation.

Meinhart and Davis were arraigned on six felony charges, including murder in the first degree, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and also on a misdemeanor charge of false reporting.

Defendants are being held without bail at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7, before Magisterial District Judge Leonard Tenaglia.