Bronx Toddler Horrifically Killed; Mom's Boyfriend Charged With Murder, Sexual Abuse

A 23-year-old man in New York City was arrested on murder and sexual abuse charges Friday in connection with the death of his girlfriend's 1-year-old son.

Police responded on Thursday to a report of an unconscious child inside of an apartment at the Webster Houses on East 169th Street in the Claremont Village section of the Bronx, Fox 5 reported. They found the boy unconscious in a bedroom at the apartment. The toddler was rushed to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Keishawn Gordon — who lived in the apartment with the toddler's mom – allegedly punched the child, breaking his ribs and lacerating his liver, the New York Post reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.

Gordon then allegedly sodomized the boy with a toothbrush because the toddler wouldn’t stop crying, according to the sources. The child also had bruises on his face when he was found.

The 23-year-old suspect is facing multiple charges in connection with the child's death, including murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse.

Gordon, who is currently unemployed, has 18 prior arrests that included seven felonies, according to the New York Post.

In 2018, he was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing after allegedly putting his hands around a woman’s neck and then slamming her to the floor. The woman said she did not lose consciousness, sources told the outlet.

A GoFundMe page was put up for 1-year-old following his death.

“Today we are grieved to say we lost a beautiful child of God. Legacy Beauford, son to Jessica Melendez and Grandson to Chiquita Seelal. A dear brother, nephew, cousin and friend. A life so short in number but an impact so big was expressed in this beautiful baby boys [sic] name Legacy Beauford,” the description read.

The page has so far raised $2,727 of the $30,000 goal.

On Saturday, a teddy bear with white, yellow and red carnations sat outside the home where the toddler lived.

One of the apartment's residents, 65-year-old Nancy Lamot, said, “It’s really disgusting. It’s disgusting. Why hurt a baby? My god. May he rest in peace.”

Another person who lives in the building, 45-year-old Charles Green, said the child’s death “makes no sense,” adding, “It’s a baby. It’s just wrong.”