Philadelphia, PA – Police officials released a statement, saying the 25-year-old Pennsylvania man, later identified as Bret, was arrested and later charged with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, obstructing the administration of law and hindering apprehension in connection with his child’s death. Prosecutors in Pennsylvania claim the defendant knew his partner was abusing and beating his child, and even confronted the woman about the abuse and the child’s regular injuries, but then allowed the process to begin all over again by leaving his toddler son in his girlfriend’s care several days each week, until she killed the boy, BentIee, earlier this year.
The defendant’s partner, 30-year-old Briana, was already charged with murder last week and is being held without bond, court records say. The fatal incident occurred in August this year at the partner’s home. During the investigation process, authorities discovered that the defendant witnesses his partner abuse and beat his child on many occasions since the boy was just several months old until he was killed by the woman. According to the prosecutors, the parent even confronted the woman about the beatings several times only to allow the abuse to continue by leaving the child with the woman. The father reportedly left the child with the woman several days every week.
The investigation process began after a witness, who was not identified, arrived at the woman’s home and found the child’s lifeless body. According to the witness, the child was cold to the touch and was not breathing. The unidentified person called 911 and told the dispatcher about the unresponsive child. First responders rushed the boy to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him brain dead. The child succumbed to his injuries shortly after, prosecutors said. During the investigation process, authorities discovered the father’s girlfriend reportedly knew about the condition of the child, but never attempted to call or seek medical help.
The responding officers then questioned the woman, who reportedly said that the child was staying with her for 10 days. The woman also told investigators that the child woke up only to immediately collapse. During the investigation process, authorities discovered many internet searches, made by the woman, which included: “how to get someone to come to when you pass out”, “what better to make bruises fade overnight”, “homemade bruise cream”. Authorities also said the woman never attempted to call 911 or seek medical help for the boy when she realized he’s not responsive.
When investigators questioned the victim”s dad, he reportedly said that he wasn’t aware of his child’s injuries, but witnessed his girlfriend’s abuse and noticed how she was often stressed around and frustrated with the child. The child’s dad even told investigators how he witnessed his girlfriend punch his child really hard in the face and strike him with a belt. During the police interview, authorities asked the parent why he left his child with the woman, even though he was aware she was abusing and beating the child. The 25-year-old man reportedly replied ‘because he loves her’.
Shortly after the interview, the victim’s dad reportedly agreed to secretly record his girlfriend in connection with the incident, only to tell the woman about the investigation and that she was being recorded by authorities. The defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 4, court records say. Both the father and his partner are being held without bond.