Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Aponte/ Facebook
On Saturday, a 10-year-old Harlem boy died after reportedly suffering horrific abuse by his mother’s boyfriend. According to the New York Daily News, Ayden Wolfe’s injuries consisted of a lacerated spleen and liver, a lacerated kidney, fractured ribs, and bruising between his toes.
The publication reported that police were called to a fourth-floor apartment inside Harlem’s Saint Nicholas Houses. Upon arriving, officers found young Ayden cling to life. They attempted to revive the boy with water but to no avail.
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He was transported to a Harlem hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to the Daily News, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea described the heartbreaking incident as a “horrific case.”
Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told the publication,” the boy had extensive bruising to his face, the extremities and all over the body.”
“Some injuries were old, but others were recent.”
The mother’s boyfriend told police he “found the victim unconscious, and he called 911.”
Ryan Cato, 34, was arrested in connection with the young boy’s tragic death. The savage who was dating Ayden’s mother was arraigned on murder charges in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
According to The Daily News, the accused killer had an extensive violent past filled with domestic abuse. Cato reportedly choked out his children’s mother in Brooklyn and was arrested in December for the assault. A criminal complaint regarding the incident detailed that he also punched the woman in the face prior to choking her.
Neighbors from Saint Nicholas Houses told police that numerous situations of violence occurred at the home.
“From the information I have, people knew the family had been through trauma and in a bad situation,’ Sheba Simpson, a neighbor and a candidate for the NYC Council, told News10.
“Where are the services and resources that would have mitigated this murder?”
News 10 also reported that Cato was charged with assaulting a Brooklyn school bus driver in February.
Ayden’s cousin, Jennifer Aponte, wrote a post on Facebook about the little boy. She also launched a GoFundMe for his funeral expenses.
“It is with heavy hearts our family is planning a funeral for my cousin Ayden. We would appreciate your donation to assist with funeral arrangements. We ask for your prayers and support. Rest easy, our Ayden, you have your wings,” she wrote.
It is with heavy hearts our family is planning a funeral for my cousin Ayden. We would appreciate your donation to…
Posted by Jennifer Aponte on Monday, March 8, 2021
The fundraiser for Ayden has a $15,000 goal. It has raised a little under $4,100.
Aponte described Ayden as “an intelligent, tech-savvy, fun, loving boy with dreams of becoming a Youtube Gamer.”
“He was such a joy to have around and loved his family. Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short. Ayden was loved immensely by family and his mother. Ayden was her only son, pride and joy.”