Shedrick James, 26, of North Philadelphia will stand trial for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son, Isaiah Josiah McNeil to death in August.
Following testimony from the boy’s mother, 25-year-old Shanekia McNeil, Judge Karen Yvette Simmons ruled there was enough evidence to move to trial.
McNeil gave the following testimony:
On Aug. 20, the day her baby died, they were living in her North Philadelphia home with another son and with James, whom she had met during the summer and started dating a few weeks before Isaiah’s death.
Two other children of McNeil’s were staying with their father, who had shared custody of their four children.
The day of the baby’s death, she left the children alone with James, who was building a bunk bed for the kids, she said. This was the first time she had left the kids alone with him. She returned to check on the children, whom she found sleeping, and she went back out.
Around 6 p.m., James called her, saying “something was wrong with Isaiah,” she said. He said Isaiah was choking on water and noodles. “And he said he tried to do CPR on him and he passed out.”
When she returned, she found police officers in her house, and James holding Isaiah. His head was hanging over James’ arm. The baby’s mouth was agape and filled with noodles. His eyes were open, but not blinking.
Police drove her to St. Christopher’s Hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead an hour later. Her son Khamire, then 8, told police that James had beaten Isaiah into unconsciousness.
Assistant Medical Examiner Lyndsey Emery testified Tuesday that the baby had visible bruising on his face, head and abdomen. The cause of death was ruled a blunt-impact injuries of the torso, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
N. Philly man, 26, to stand trial for murder in beating death of girlfriend’s baby son
Shedrick James allegedly beat his girlfriend's baby to death.
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