West Milwaukee man charged with killing mother with baseball bat

Hayward Jenkins accused of striking 66-year-old Cheryl Jenkins multiple times in the head

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 38-year-old West Milwaukee man has been criminally charged with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing his mother, 66-year-old Cheryl Jenkins, by striking her multiple times in the head with a baseball bat during an argument over money and silver coins.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for greater mental health resources and support systems to prevent such senseless acts of violence within families. It also raises questions about the bail system and whether repeat offenders should be released on bond, especially in cases involving alleged premeditated violence.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the area of 44th and Mitchell in West Milwaukee around 8 a.m. on Feb. 24 after a witness reported seeing Hayward Jenkins strike his mother Cheryl Jenkins in the head with a baseball bat. When police arrived, they found Cheryl Jenkins unresponsive with a head injury and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed a subject matching Hayward Jenkins' description running from the scene and boarding a bus. Jenkins was later arrested at Potawatomi Casino, where he admitted to striking his mother multiple times in the head with a bat during an argument over money and silver coins.

  • On Feb. 24, police were called to the area of 44th and Mitchell around 8 a.m.
  • Around 6:07 a.m. on Feb. 24, surveillance footage showed the suspect boarding a bus on Miller Park Way and West Mitchell Street.
  • Later on Feb. 24, police arrested Hayward Jenkins at Potawatomi Casino.

The players

Hayward Jenkins

A 38-year-old West Milwaukee man who has been criminally charged with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing his mother, Cheryl Jenkins, by striking her multiple times in the head with a baseball bat.

Cheryl Jenkins

A 66-year-old West Milwaukee woman who was killed by her son, Hayward Jenkins, after he allegedly struck her multiple times in the head with a baseball bat during an argument.

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What they’re saying

“He told investigators that he struck his mother in the head with a bat multiple times while she was sitting in a chair.”

— Hayward Jenkins (fox6now.com)

“Jenkins states he was "wrong for murdering my mother,”

— Hayward Jenkins (fox6now.com)

What’s next

Jenkins is due back in court on March 10 for a preliminary hearing, where the judge will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the first-degree intentional homicide charge.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing need for greater mental health resources, domestic violence prevention programs, and reforms to the bail system to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent such senseless acts of violence within families.