Prosecutors: Man Killed Amityville Boy, 4, Because He Wouldn't Take A Nap
AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Prosecutors Saturday said a caregiver's boyfriend punched a 4-year-old boy in Amityville and ended up killing him, all because the boy wouldn't take a nap.
As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, prosecutors said in court that Jonathan Thompson, 31, admitted to punching Adonis Reed, twice lacerating his liver. Thompson was arraigned on second-degree murder charges Saturday morning at the Suffolk County District 4 Courthouse in Central Islip.
Prosecutors: Man Killed Amityville Boy, 4, Because He Wouldn't Take A Nap
Thompson's home address is the same as the apartment at 89 Ketcham Ave. where Adonis was found dead.
After the hearing Saturday morning, Adonis' aunt was so upset that she fell to the ground.
"He was wonderful! He was the love of our lives! He never hurt anybody!" she said.
Authorities said Adonis was living with his godmother and her boyfriend, Thompson, because the child's 21-year-old mother is homeless. The aunt said everything could have been different if she'd had custody of Adonis instead.
"I tried so long to help him, and instead of giving him to a qualified aunt, they gave him to an abuser," she said.
Thompson pleaded not guilty at the hearing and was ordered held without bail.
Following an anonymous 911 call on Wednesday, Adonis was found alone, unconscious and beaten inside the apartment in the rented Amityville home.
There was not an adult in sight as the child lay motionless, unable to be saved by CPR. Adonis was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, but attempts to resuscitate him failed and he was pronounced dead shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, police said.
"The last thing that we thought that was going to happen is that this boy would be found with bruises on his body," said neighbor Tracy Chessler.
Chessler, who lives above the apartment, said she never heard any signs of violence below. Likewise, next door neighbor Eric Erath said he never heard anything either.
"I never saw neglect. If I did see them, [they were] running around outside playing," Erath said.
But now, Thompson has been charged. He was arrested in Brooklyn with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Meanwhile, neighbors have steadily brought stuffed teddy bears, candles, and wreaths to the front porch of the home. Adonis' 6-year-old sister was placed with Suffolk County Child Protective Services, and authorities with the agency held an emergency hearing with their homeless mother.
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