New York City dad Ceferino Sanchez was charged with murder and manslaughter on Wednesday, April 27, for allegedly killing his 4-month-old son, leaving the young boy with various injuries, including fatal skull fractures.
The 34-year-old Manhattan native was ordered held without bail in Bronx Criminal Court after he was arraigned in the horrific assault that happened inside the family's apartment at Lower East Side on Sunday night, April 24.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Bronx prosecutors, Sanchez allegedly told a female companion on Monday morning "I f-ked up, I f-ked up." Sanchez was breaking down in tears when he made this confession, just hours after he threw and slammed baby Cairo in a fit of violence, according to the New York Daily News.
Sanchez took dead baby to NYU Langone Hospital
According to the complaint, the woman, who was not identified but is believed to be the infant's mother, stated that the defendant was crying and telling her that they needed to get their stories straight. The informant further stated that she then saw baby Cairo on the couch wrapped in a blanket head to toe, preventing her from seeing the young child's injuries, according to PIX 11.
The complaint said that Sanchez took the baby to NYU Langone Hospital, arriving there shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday "with Cairo in a car seat covered by a blanket." Sanchez told the hospital staff that he accidentally dropped the baby and that the child's injuries were the result of him falling during a feeding and getting hurt.
The complaint said that Cairo no longer had a pulse when they arrived at the hospital. An autopsy performed later on the baby revealed that his injuries were extensive, with Cairo having bruising under both of his eyelids, a torn frenulum, abrasions to the nostrils and ears, and abrasions to his face.
The city medical examiner ruled Cairo's death a homicide with Sanchez arrested on Tuesday. He was charged with murder and manslaughter. Sanchez was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and assault of a child and ordered held without bail in Bronx Criminal Court on Wednesday.
Sanchez denies allegations against him
Sanchez wore white jailhouse overalls and a mask and was handcuffed behind his back during the arraignment. He repeatedly shook his head while prosecutors described the allegations against him, blurting out "It's not true."
The judge then issued an order of protection to keep him away from the mother of the dead baby, over the objection of his lawyer. Legal Aid attorney Michelle Benoit told the judge that she does not believe that there is anything in the complaint that would support an order of protection against the mother.
A spokesperson for the city Administration for Children's Services told the New York Post that the agency is working with the NYPD on an investigation into Sanchez's case and that they "have taken action to secure the safety of the other child in this home." The agency said that it does not provide specific information on cases.
