Police: East Texas Boy Is Murdered and Sexually Assaulted

4/16/07-Carthage

An East Texas 4-year-old boy was sexually assaulted and murdered by a man, police say, worked and lived with his family. Police were called out to a home in Carthage Sunday morning. Residents there say they are stunned, such a horrible murder could happen where they live.

Teddy bears and flowers are a makeshift memorial to 4-year-old Joey Zhang-Liu who, residents say, used to greet customers at his parents' Chinese restaurant in Carthage.

"He was just joyful, always playing, every time I would come and grab my leg, would just hug me he was real nice and sweet," says Liketia Harris, who remembers the little boy.

Police say Rogerio Chaves Garcia, 27, has confessed to strangling and sexually assaulting the boy. Police say he worked at the restaurant and lived with the family in their home.