NYPD: Bronx Man Charged In Death Of 1-Month-Old Son
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx father has been charged in the death of his 1-month-old son.
Police had been investigating the case as possible child abuse, CBS2's Reena Roy reported.
Tuesday night, the NYPD filed several charges against 24-year-old Christian Rodriguez including reckless assault that resulted in a brain injury and assaulting a child under the age of seven.
CBS2 has obtained an image of tiny Aidan Rodriguez, who spent just four weeks on this earth.
His parents' apartment at the Mill Brook Houses on East 137th Street in Mott Haven is now at the center of an active investigation.
"It's really, really sad," one resident said.
"It's just surprising," another added.
Neighbors had a tough time trying to wrap their heads around the tragedy as the baby's 24-year-old father was grilled by detectives.
"I would characterize this at this time as suspicious," NYPD Chief Dermot Shea said.
Police said the baby was rushed to the hospital with a severe head injury on Monday night. Sources told CBS2's Roy little Aidan's dad claimed the baby hit his head on the wall, but concerned doctors alerted the police, saying it looked like possible abuse.
"That's crazy, especially around the neighborhood. It's sad," neighbor Jessica Pagan said.
Police sources told CBS2 that Aidan's father was previously convicted of felony assault after attacking one of his four children.
Some neighbors said they never saw the father's alleged violent side.
"It seemed like he's so happy. You can see that he was happy about the baby being born," Pagan said.
"He was out here with the baby Friday. We was talking and the baby was fine," another female neighbor said.
The Administration for Children's Services said it has taken action to protect another child in the family home and is working with the NYPD on the investigation.
The baby's mother was also taken in for questioning, but has since been released from custody.
