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“A defenseless young child’s life was brutally snatched from him before it even began in most ways; a case that is equal parts heartbreaking and disturbing,” DA Katz said.
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Shaquan Butler has been arraigned on murder charges in the death of his 3-year-old son earlier this month.
Butler, 26, of Elmhurst, was arraigned Sunday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Michael
Yavinsky on a six-count complaint charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree, two counts of manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, Butler faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
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The incident occurred at the Pan Am Hotel in Elmhurst.
According to the charges, on Sunday, Nov. 13, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the defendant allegedly struck his son in the torso inside of the family’s apartment in the Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst. The child’s mother and his two young siblings were in the apartment at the time as well.
Responding to a 911 call, City Fire Department personnel arrived at the Queens Boulevard hotel and found the 3-year-old victim on the floor unconscious with bruising to the child’s head, torso and extremities. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner determined that the child had significant internal bleeding and died from blunt force trauma to his torso.
District Attorney Katz said, “A defenseless young child’s life was brutally snatched from him before it even began in most ways; a case that is equal parts heartbreaking and disturbing. As alleged, the defendant is responsible for this brutal death and my Office will be sure to secure justice in this innocent child’s memory.”
