A New York father has been arrested hours after his 1-month-old son reportedly died from head injuries which possibly stemmed from child abuse.
WNBC reported that Christian Rodriguez, 24, was charged Tuesday in connection with the death of his son, Aiden Rodriguez, who was found in his Bronx apartment Monday night with head trauma and died at a hospital shortly thereafter. He was reportedly spotted smiling Tuesday evening as he was being hauled out of the police precinct in handcuffs.
Hospital staff reportedly alerted police to Aiden’s head trauma, which prompted officers to interview Christian and the newborn’s 22-year-old mother early Tuesday. A law enforcement source told the New York Post that Christian claimed he was taking Aiden home when he “inadvertently struck the child’s head against the wall.”
Christian is facing various charges, including, causing injury through risk of death, reckless assault of a child involving a brain injury, assault causing injury to a person less than 11 years old, and assault causing injury to a person less than 7 years old.
Citing sources, the Post reported that Christian has at least four kids and was previously arrested for felony assault involving one of his other children. The outcome of that case was undisclosed.
According to WABC, the Administration for Children’s Services took Aiden’s 5-year-old brother out the Bronx apartment and placed him in his grandmother’s care.
Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to confirm a cause and manner of death.
“Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City,” the agency said in a statement issued to WNBC. “We are investigating this case and we have taken action to secure the safety of the other child in this home.”
[Featured Image: Christian Rodriguez/WNBC video screengrab]
