Queens Father Faces Assault Charges After Allegedly Beating Toddler to Critical Condition
A 30-year-old father has been arrested and charged with assault after allegedly beating his 2-year-old son to within an inch of his life at a homeless shelter in Queens, New York City, according to police reports and sources familiar with the investigation.
Horrific Assault at Shelter Leads to Critical Injuries
Dayvon Morrison, 30, was taken into custody on Tuesday, February 3, following a brutal attack on his young son that has left the toddler fighting for his life in intensive care. The NYPD confirmed that Morrison faces two counts of assault in connection with the incident.
Sources indicate that the alleged beating occurred late on Friday night, January 30, at a Queens homeless shelter where Morrison and his son were staying. Following the assault, Morrison reportedly left the shelter the next morning, placing the severely injured child in a stroller and traveling into Manhattan.
Delayed Medical Attention and Emergency Response
The toddler did not receive medical attention until approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, February 2, when a family member made a 911 emergency call. Police responded to the location in East Harlem near 102nd Street and Third Avenue, where they discovered Morrison's son suffering from severe head trauma.
Emergency Medical Services personnel rushed the critically injured child to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. The exact whereabouts and activities of Morrison between Saturday morning and early Monday morning, while his son remained gravely wounded, remain unclear according to investigators.
Mother's Heartbreaking Social Media Updates
In a series of emotional social media posts, the boy's mother has shared updates about her son's condition and the devastating impact of the injuries. On Instagram, she posted that her son is "fighting for his life in the ICU" and shared a photograph showing the unconscious toddler in a hospital bed with numerous stitches and medical gauze taped to his head.
The mother provided a separate update on Facebook, writing that medical professionals have expressed concerns about her son's future development. "Doctors don't think he will be able to develop mentally as a result of the brutal injury," she wrote. In her post, she described her son as "perfect" and "so smart," noting that he had recently begun speaking and calling her "mama mama."
Arrest and Investigation Details
Morrison was apprehended in Queens on Tuesday and appeared stone-faced as he was led from a police precinct, refusing to answer questions from reporters. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full timeline of events and the circumstances surrounding the delayed medical treatment.
This case has drawn attention to issues of child protection and domestic violence within shelter systems, raising questions about safety protocols and intervention mechanisms for vulnerable families. The toddler's condition remains critical as medical teams continue their efforts to stabilize him and address the severe head trauma he sustained.
