Boyfriend Accused of Fatally Assaulting Infant, Leaving Mother’s Child Dead
A one-year-old girl, Imani Mitchell, has tragically passed away in New York, about a week after she was allegedly beaten by her mother’s boyfriend so severely that surgeons were forced to remove part of her skull.
Imani was rushed to Harlem Hospital in the Bronx on August 28 in critical condition after 19-year-old Jerome Thomas, who was caring for her, allegedly struck her twice on the head with a “heavy hand,” causing her to cry uncontrollably, according to police and prosecutors.
Doctors found she had suffered “extensive subdural hemorrhaging” on the right side of her brain, leading to swelling, severe intracranial pressure, and brain herniation. Emergency surgery was performed to remove part of her skull, but despite being placed on a ventilator and life support, her condition did not improve.
She was pronounced d£ad on Friday, September 5, with her de@th ruled a homicide by the NYPD.
Thomas, who was arrested a day after the assault, had initially been charged with felony assault, reckless endangerment, and child endangerment. Authorities say charges are expected to be upgraded following Imani’s death.
The teen has since been ordered held without bail on Rikers Island, as his charges may now be upgraded pending a grand jury indictment, law enforcement sources said.
The fatal beating happened around 9:30 p.m. inside the apartment on Union Avenue near East 152nd Street in the Woodstock neighborhood, after Imani’s mother left her in Thomas’ care, according to the complaint.
He is next scheduled to appear in court Sept. 18, the DA’s office said.
Neighbor Nicole LaCroix previously told The Post the couple and the little girl were new to the building.
“I spent a little time with the mother, and I guess the boyfriend one night, just because they were new to the area, and we were just showing them where some of the stores are and different things like that,” said LaCroix, who recalled spending time with the infant. “Being helpful, as a neighbor, because I’m a little older than the young lady.
“I held the baby, you know, because we spent a little time with each other. She was playing with my phone – she was an active one year old.”
LaCroix said her daughter heard “arguments” coming from the trio’s apartment, and she wished she would have “stepped in and helped.”
“They fight every night. [I’ve heard] them argue every night since they moved here … ‘F**k you, b**ch.’ And ‘Get the f*(k out,’” she said.
“Several times she put his clothes out, but they’d be back together the same day.”
