A young boy was hospitalized for weeks and a family is under investigation after a horrifying incident. New York resident Davien Reid Sr. has been indicted after he allegedly viciously attacked his young stepson. The boy was reportedly subjected to unspeakable cruelty at the man’s hands. As details have emerged, it’s become clear that the boy’s mother may have played a part as well.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz released an indictment against Reid this week. According to the indictment, on April 24, 2024, the man hit the boy before stomping on him repeatedly. His stomping caused internal injuries that made the boy throw up. After the boy threw up, the man made him lick his vomit off the floor.
As a result of his injuries, the boy spent three weeks in the hospital. At one point, he needed a feeding tube.
On March 7, 2025, Reid was indicted on charges of attempted murder, assault, witness intimidation, and other offenses. According to prosecutors, the boy’s mother, Dayanara Vargas, had previously been indicted for another attack against her son on November 24, 2023. But, Vargas was the one to call 911 after Reid beat her son. She told police, however, that the boy received his injuries from fighting with his stepbrother, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors said police arrived at the house, finding the boy on the bathroom floor. His head was severely bruised and deformed. Bruising was seen along his back and arms, and one of his eyes was swollen shut. Authorities removed all the children from the home, per the indictment. Reid entered the relationship with three children while Vargas had two. The couple, who have been together for several years, also have two children together.
Additionally, the boy had severe compression fractures on his neck and upper back. He also had ligament injuries in his neck, and rectal bleeding. The boy also suffered from a subdural hematoma and a cut on his pancreas. He also had additional intestinal and abdominal injuries. After his release from the hospital, the boy had to wear a neck collar for about five months.
“As alleged, these defendants inflicted unspeakable cruelty,” Katz said in a statement shared by the New York Daily News. “It was brutal. Thankfully, the victim and his siblings are all now safe and we will get justice for this child.”
When speaking with investigators, the boy told them what happened during the attack. He also told them about the incident his mother was indicted for. She had hit him in the head with a broom, resulting in a big gash. The cut required stitches, according to prosecutors. They said Vargas took him to urgent care, again lying about his injuries.
Vargas’ family spoke with the Daily News, claiming she did nothing wrong. “This is a travesty for all the children involved. The court system will prove my sister to be a good person and a good mother. When everything happened, she was at work. She’s being charged with things she did not do,” said her brother, Christopher.
According to her mother, “Everyone in my family is all right,” the newspaper reported.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris ordered that Davien Reid Sr. be held without bail, per the Daily News. Vargas is being held on $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond. If put on trial and convicted, Reid could face up to 25 years in jail. Vargas could receive up to seven years in prison.
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.
