COVINGTON — A 16-year-old Erlanger boy is charged with murder — and charges are pending against three teen girls — in the beating death of a Mexican immigrant.

        Blaf Diaz, 31, of West 34th Street died Monday at St. Elizabeth North Hospital. He was in the country illegally, working as a drywall installer under the name Garcia Perez, according to Covington Lt. Col. Jim Liles.

Blaf Diaz, 31, died Monday of injuries received Sept. 10 in his West 34th Street home. (Enquirer photo) | ZOOM |

        Mr. Diaz was attacked on Sept. 10 inside his home. The assault happened when one of the girls came to Mr. Diaz's apartment to retrieve some of her belongings. She was accompanied by the boy and two other girls.

        They are not being identified because they are juveniles.

        An argument ensued at the house, police said, and Mr. Diaz was hit with a bat in the ribs and head. Then he was punched and kicked while on the ground.

        Lt. Col. Liles said Mr. Diaz knew his attackers, and the crime was not racially motivated. Mr. Diaz shared the apartment with two other men, one of whom had dated one of the girls.

        Mr. Diaz was treated and released from the hospital the day of the attack. He returned the following day when he developed complications from his head injury, according to police.

        The 16-year-old boy is being held at the Campbell County Juvenile Detention Center in Newport. County Attorney Garry Edmondson said he will ask the courts that he be tried as an adult.

        Lt. Col. Liles said conspiracy to commit murder charges are pending against the girls. Two of them are 17 and from Covington. The other is 16 and from Erlanger.
       

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