I'm really sorry to hear about this tragic incident. It is indeed a horrifying and heartbreaking case of child abuse. According to the information you provided, Murtadah Mohammad, a 25-year-old man from New Hampshire, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 7-year-old son, Jaevion Riley. The charges were filed after Jaevion passed away from severe burns that his father allegedly inflicted as a form of discipline.
The incident occurred on January 17 when the police responded to a call at a Manchester apartment and found Jaevion unconscious and badly burned on his face and body. He was immediately transported to a hospital in Massachusetts, where he remained in a coma for a week before succumbing to his injuries.
Initially, Mohammad claimed that he did not witness how his son got hurt, stating that Jaevion had been in the shower at the time. However, investigators found no evidence that the shower had been recently used. Mohammad's story had inconsistencies, and he eventually confessed to disciplining his son using hot water and physical force.
Jaevion's mother, Rainah Riley, had previously reported signs of abuse, including bruising, to child services but claimed that they failed to intervene. She described her son's injuries as resembling burns from boiling water or oil, and she also mentioned a knocked-out tooth and a head injury.
The charges against Mohammad include causing Jaevion's death recklessly under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of his life, as well as subjecting him to abusive violence and failing to seek timely medical assistance for his injuries.
The previous charges against Mohammad, including assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and falsifying physical evidence, are expected to be dropped as the murder charge will be prosecuted separately by the state Attorney General's office.
This is undoubtedly a tragic case, and it highlights the need for effective intervention and protection of children in situations of abuse.
