The father accused of beating and burning his 7-year-old son in January in Manchester was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the boy’s death, according to a news release from the Attorney General’s Office.
Murtadah Mohammad, 25, has been arrested on one count of second-degree murder in the death of Jaevion Riley, 7.
“It is alleged that on or about January 17, 2023, Murtadah Mohammad caused the death of J.R., a person under 13 years of age, recklessly under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of his life, by subjecting him to abusive violence and not obtaining timely medical assistance for his injuries,” the release said.
Mohammad is currently in jail on nonhomicide charges stemming from the alleged abuse. Those charges are expected to be dropped and prosecution transferred to the Attorney General’s Office.
The child had burns over 15 to 20 percent of his body as well as other injuries consistent with physical abuse, according to the affidavit filed in Hillsborough Superior Court North in Manchester when Mohammad was charged with assaulting the boy.
Jaevion also suffered a heart attack during the last incident of abuse, according to the affidavit.
A tipster told police at one point that Mohammad was preparing to flee.