!["There were people that don't even know me [who were] fighting for me, so it helped me from wanting to give up. There were a lot of days I wanted to give up."](https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/WPMT/images/ec15f3ac-ee13-47f2-ba53-c05a36401fde/ec15f3ac-ee13-47f2-ba53-c05a36401fde_1920x1080.jpg)
YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A York man was found not guilty of all charges related to the death of two-year-old Dante Mullinix.
Tyree Marche'll Bowie, 43, was previously charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child. According to Bowie's attorney, he was found not guilty on all charges.
"I felt relief. It was my reaction and my client's reaction. We both broke down and cried and hugged each other," said Bowie's Attorney Farley G. Holt.
Bowie has been in prison since September 2018. He was denied bail due to the criminal homicide charges.
"There were people that don't even know me [who were] fighting for me, so it helped me from wanting to give up. There were a lot of days I wanted to give up," said Bowie.
"I told him, 'Tyree, you have a good lawyer. You have so many people supporting you. People that don't [even] know you," said Cheryl Preston, Bowie's mom.
Bowie was released from prison at 6:30 p.m. tonight. His supporters were gathered outside the York County Prison in Springettsburg Township, awaiting his release.
"Having Tyree acquitted of these charges is fantastic, but we're not gonna stop here. Everyone's going to try to pursue and put pressure on those who can bring charges against the appropriate person," said Holt.
Administrator at the York County District Attorney's Office Kyle King said the following:
We respect the jury's verdict.
According to original reports, Bowie was interviewed by police on Sept. 7, 2018, and allegedly admitted he was the only one caring for Mullinix when he stopped breathing.
Surveillance video from a Rutter's gas station shows the two together around 8:45 p.m. that night, just before the child was taken to Hershey Medical Center. In that video, Mullinix is walking and appears to be healthy.
According to the coroner's office, the two-year-old died from a traumatic brain injury. He was also allegedly strangled and suffocated.
Dante's mother, Leah Mullinix, is also facing a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court documents. Leah Mullinix's court hearing has been set for January.
"This isn't the end of the road on our pursuit for justice for Dante. This is just the beginning," said Holt.
When asked what's next for Bowie, he answered, "I just gotta adapt. A lot of things have changed since I've been out, so [it's just taking] one day at a time."