BROOKLYN, NY—A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend’s four-year-old son, in a case that has highlighted the tragic consequences of child abuse.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the sentencing of 30-year-old Jerimiah Johnson of East New York, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on April 17, 2024.

The child, Jayce Eubanks, was found to have suffered from battered child syndrome, which was evident from both old and new injuries across his body. The fatal incident occurred on September 12, 2021, when Johnson alerted the child’s mother, Rickia Delvalle, that Jayce was having difficulty breathing and had collapsed. Despite immediate efforts, Jayce was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital Center shortly before 7:00 AM.

An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed the severe nature of Jayce’s injuries, including multiple bruises, abrasions, healing and recent rib fractures, a healing skull fracture, and trauma to the stomach causing internal bleeding.

The cause of death was determined to be battered child syndrome with recent blunt force injuries to the torso.

District Attorney Gonzalez emphasized the commitment to protecting children from abuse, stating, “The autopsy of this innocent child revealed that he suffered unthinkable and repeated abuse in his short life and ultimately died at the hands of this defendant. Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable.” The sentencing was carried out by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo.

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