Father Arrested For Murder After 3-Year-Old Found Dead With Bruises Inside Homeless Shelter

A man in New York City has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 3-year-old son who was found dead with bruises all over his body at a homeless shelter in Queens.

The child, identified as Shaquan Butler, was found unconscious inside Boulevard Family Residence, where he was living with his parents and siblings, on Sunday evening. The boy was rushed to a hospital but he was pronounced dead, NY Post reported.

The child's father, also known by the name Shaquan Butler, was arrested Wednesday on murder and manslaughter charges, police said.

The suspect had a criminal history and was arrested 28 times on multiple charges, including gang assault, inciting to riot, grand larceny, and possession of weapons, NY Daily News reported.

Following the boy's death, his unidentified mother claimed he had fallen and hit his head on the kitchen floor after choking on a chicken nugget.

However, a medical examination revealed the child's death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the torso. The medics determined the child's body had bruises in various stages of healing, possibly indicating abuse. The boy also had a collapsed lung at the time of his death.

The 21-year-old woman, who is not a suspect in the case, was arrested five times before the incident.

The family reportedly had a history with the city's Administration for Children's Services(ACS). The couple's three children were taken away from their custody in late September and were returned to the mother the following month after she attended a mandated parenting class.

"Something is wrong here. She gets the kids back. A month later, one of them is dead," a police official told NY Daily News.

After the child's death, the couple's two other children were shifted to the custody of ACS, reports said.

Meanwhile, Daytop Samaritan Village, which runs the shelter, expressed grief over the tragic death.

"We offer our deepest condolences to all who have been impacted and stand ready to provide them with any support we can during this incredibly difficult time," a spokesperson told CBS New York.