A New Hampshire man is facing criminal charges in connection with the death of his 7-year-old son, police said. Murtadah Mohammad, 25, has been charged with first-and second-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and falsifying evidence after his son, Jaevion Riley, was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Authorities said the boy had severe burns to his face and body. He also had a skull fracture, brain injury, and blunt force trauma to the head. When investigators questioned Mohammad, he admitted to using power cords and hot water to discipline his son, according to court documents obtained by WMUR.
Manchester police responded to a report of a minor in distress on January 17.
When officers arrived at the apartment on Eastern Avenue, Jaevion was reportedly unconscious and not breathing. First responders transported the boy to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. During the investigation, police said the boy had burns on 15 to 20% of his body and more than 30 loop marks that caused broken skin. Authorities also tested the faucet water, which registered at the highest temperature of 153 degrees, WMUR reported.
At the time, his mother, Rainah Riley, said her son was fighting for his life and that he died twice and had to be resuscitated.
“He died two times and had to be resuscitated with CPR and medication to be brought back to life,” Riley told WCTV. “He’s getting the best care in the world that he could possibly get right now.”
Riley appeared in court on January 20, stating that the family was preparing for 'the worst.'
"[Jaevion] was so heavily sedated and in a coma due to all of this, which I’m thankful that he doesn’t have to be awake for it because the pain would be too much to bear for anyone, never mind a 7-year-old boy,” Riley explained, reported WCTV. She shared custody of Jaevion with Mohammad.
“He’s loving, kind, compassionate, happy, well-behaved, well-mannered, so bright. He started reading chapter books when he was like 3 or 4. He is so brilliant and so beautiful,” she added.
Mohammad reportedly waived his arraignment on Friday, and is being held on preventative detention, according to WCTV.
On Monday, the 7-year-old boy died of his injuries at the hospital.
"The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on the child. The final autopsy results are not expected for several months, pending additional studies," the police department said in a news release.
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Allen D. Aldenberg announced that an investigation is ongoing into the suspicious death of the child. The charges against Mohammad are being filed by the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office.
Several residents appeared heartbroken after learning what happened to the boy in their neighborhood.
"He's a very good boy and kind. Very quiet, respectful," Amani Lameldin told WMUR. "I can't believe that was going on to him."
Lameldin said her son and Jaevion were close friends and that he had asked what happened to the 7-year-old. "He asked me, 'Where's JJ, mom? Where is he? Is he going to go to school tomorrow?'" she said.
Another neighbor, Jennifer Giuffrida, said she had no idea the child was being abused inside the apartment. "I was just inside, laying down, getting ready for work that morning while a kid was getting hurt, and I had no idea," she said. "And now I think about my kids."
Two close friends of Riley have created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and other expenses.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
