A father from Queens, suffering from dementia, faces serious allegations after reportedly beating his 2-year-old son into critical condition. In court on Wednesday, he claimed he was too inebriated to recall the incident and failed to get medical assistance afterward, according to prosecutors.
Dayvon Morrison, 30, is said to have assaulted the child at a homeless shelter on Friday night and then left with him the following day.
Prosecutors described how Morrison dragged his injured son through New York City for three days until witnesses noticed the boy’s severe injuries and called for help.
Upon police arrival, Morrison allegedly remarked, “If they want me to handcuff them, I don’t care. I got drunk the other night.”
The boy, identified as Maliek by his mother, was reported to be in dire condition, and prosecutors indicated that if he did not survive, more severe charges could follow, including attempted murder.
Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Muldoon recounted that Morrison had seen bruises on Maliek’s face when he woke up on January 31. The following day, despite noticing further deterioration in the child’s condition, he still delayed seeking medical help.
Morrison supposedly took Maliek and another child to their mother’s home in East Harlem, but the police were only alerted at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday when someone finally dialed 911.
According to Muldoon, when officers knocked at the door, Morrison insisted that “everything is fine” while they observed the injured child, leading to his emergency transport to a hospital.
Morrison acknowledged to authorities that he must have harmed his son since he was alone with him, though he didn’t remember the details due to his intoxication.
Maliek is reportedly dealing with severe injuries including a ruptured pupil, a lacerated liver, a fractured pelvis, brain bleeds, and lasting brain damage, as confirmed by both Muldoon and law enforcement.
During the court proceedings, Morrison showed little emotion, appearing in the same clothing from his arrest: green pants, a hoodie, and a down coat. His attorney chose not to request bail, considering the gravity of the accusations.
Meanwhile, Maliek’s mother shared on Instagram that her son is “fighting for his life in the ICU,” expressing disbelief over what transpired. She posted a poignant image of her son on life support with a bandaged head, emphasizing her anguish.
