Thaindian News

QUEENS, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – A New York father caused severe injuries to his eight-month son after violently assaulting him, prosecutors said Thursday.

Saul Cortez, 24, of Queens, New York, allegedly caused life-threatening injuries to his eight-month-old son, including bleeding on the brain. The child was diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome, and is unresponsive to his surroundings.

Monica Patrice, the baby’s mother, allegedly left their residence for approximately twenty minutes earlier that night, leaving Cortez alone with Mario Patrice, their eight-month-old son, and a second child, who was two years old. When she left, the baby was crying and in normal health, but after she returned, Cortez was on the phone calling for help as the baby was unresponsive, limp and not breathing.

Furthermore, Cortez allegedly said the baby was crying and he became frustrated and angry. He then repeatedly shook the baby, forcefully and repeatedly punching him in the back.

Eight-month-old Mario Patrice was transported to Schneider Children’s Hospital at around midnight on April 5. He was subsequently diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome after several examinations.

“According to the charges, the infant suffered severe brain and eye injuries, a lacerated liver, and healing and acute rib fractures as a result of being violently shaken and punched – grave physical injuries for anyone, let alone a baby less than a year old,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said. “It is shocking to consider that his father is charged with inflicting such brutality and suffering on one as young and innocent as his own child.”

Cortez was charged with of first-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, but if the child does not survive, the charges will be upgraded.

This was the fourth case in the last month of infants and toddlers being assaulted or murdered by their parent or babysitter. Brown expressed his concern as medical and law enforcement have increased their efforts to educate the public of the dangers of shaking a baby. “Three seconds of shaking is all it takes to cause irreparable injury or even death,” Brown stated.