QUEENS, NY – A Queens father was charged with murder in the death of his three-year-old son at an Elmhurst shelter last month.
In connection with the death of his 3-year-old son and the physical abuse of a second child in an Elmhurst shelter last month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Shaquan Butler had been charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and other crimes.
“District Attorney Katz said: “”As alleged, this parent failed his primary duty as a protector, killing one of his own children by callous force and allegedly injured another. We will not forget this child. The defendant will be held fully accountable for his actions,” Katz said.
On an eleven-count indictment, Butler, 26, of Elmhurst, was arraigned yesterday charging him with murder in the second degree, two counts of manslaughter in the first degree, two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and six counts of endangering child welfare. Judge Michael Yavinsky ordered Butler to return to court on January 31. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Butler is alleged to have struck his 3-year-old son multiple times during a visit to the Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst on Sunday, November 13 at approximately 7:40 p.m., causing liver lacerations and internal bleeding to the child. Additionally, the child’s mother and two younger siblings were present in the apartment at the time.
A 911 call prompted the New York Fire Department to respond to the hotel and find the 3-year-old unconscious on the floor with visible bruises to his head, body and extremities. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Based on the medical examiner’s findings, it was determined that the child suffered significant internal bleeding and died as a result of blunt force trauma to his torso. A medical examination of a second child, who is 2 years old, revealed physical injuries consistent with child abuse.