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ME Says Deceased Brooklyn Toddler Was Beaten; Mother Charged With Assault

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York City Medical Examiner's office has ruled that a 2-year-old boy died from violent injuries, and his mother has been charged with assault.

Geraldine Smith, 19, was charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child in the case of her son, Jayden Smith. Charges against the woman may be upgraded to murder.

Jayden was taken to Coney Island Hospital from the family home on Bragg Street in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, after his mother called 911 to report the child was vomiting and had trouble breathing, police told CBS 2.

Doctors found signs of bruising and contacted police.

The boy was listed in critical condition and died a short time later, police said.

The Medical Examiner's office ruled Tuesday that Jayden died of internal blunt force trauma injuries, and found that he had suffered broken ribs, police said.

The mother had claimed the boy was injured running into the couch, but police said it appeared he was intentionally beaten.

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