Nationwide — Hayward Jenkins, a 38-year-old African American man from Wisconsin, has been accused of killing his 66-year-old mother with a baseball bat after a heated argument. Police say he struck her multiple times, then fled, but was arrested later that morning.
Police were called to Cheryl Jenkins’ home last Tuesday around 8 a.m. by her fiancé. He reported that Hayward had stayed overnight in the guest room but was gone when they found Cheryl face down on the floor.
Officers discovered a wooden baseball bat on top of Cheryl’s body, stained with blood, and a head wound consistent with a violent attack. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Hayward leaving the apartment complex and boarding a bus around 6 a.m.
According to WLBT, authorities tracked him down to the Potawatomi Casino Hotel, where he was arrested around 12:30 p.m. Family members had tipped police about his possible location, leading to the swift capture.
A criminal complaint states that Hayward argued with his mother over silver coins. He told police she pointed scissors at him, and in a fit of anger, he grabbed the bat. He admitted he “didn’t want to hit her” but struck her repeatedly, later saying he was “wrong for murdering my mother.”
Hayward faces one count of first-degree intentional homicide. His bond is set at $300,000, and he remains in custody as the investigation continues.