Dad arrested for allegedly burning, torturing 7-year-old son who was resuscitated twice
01/20/2023 3:41 pm PST
MANCHESTER, N.H. (TCD) -- A 25-year-old man is facing several charges after his young son was hospitalized with critical injuries, including a fractured skull and burns on his body.
According to Manchester Police, on Jan. 17, officers responded to a call on Eastern Avenue about a boy who was unconscious and not breathing who also had "significant burns" to his face and body. Paramedics transported the 7-year-old to a hospital, then transferred him to another facility for "more advanced care."
While at the hospital, doctors reportedly discovered additional injuries.
Police arrested Murtadah Mohammad, who they said was "known to the victim," on charges of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of falsifying physical evidence, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
WMUR-TV reports the victim, whose name is Jaevion, is Mohammad’s son.
Jaevion’s mother, Rainah Riley, told WMUR, "He has a skull fracture, a brain injury, blunt force trauma to the head, rib fractures. He died two times and had to be resuscitated with CPR and medication to be brought back to life."
According to WMUR, Riley said her son is "heavily sedated and in a coma" at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
NBC Boston reports Riley noted, "The hospital described his injuries as torture, mutilation, and brutalization."
She added, "His tooth was kicked out. He has blunt force trauma to the head. This man was trying to kill my child."
Some of his injuries reportedly occurred after being put in burning hot water.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by NBC Boston, Mohammad allegedly told police at first that Jaevion burned himself when he was in the shower. Police, however, said there was no evidence the boy had been in the shower. Mohammad reportedly later said he used water and other means of force to discipline Jaevion.
Riley described her son to WMUR as "loving" and a "brilliant boy."
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