By Sasha Gonzales
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A Bronx father accused of causing fatal injuries to his five-week old son was indicted Wednesday on murder and manslaughter charges, prosecutors said.
Christian Rodriguez, 25, was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas, who ordered him held without bail. Previously, he’d been charged only with multiple counts of assault in the case.
The Bronx resident told detectives he “accidentally bashed” son Aiden’s head against a door on March 18,, then threw him face-first to the ground when he wouldn’t stop crying, according to court papers.
Rodriguez told investigators he was trying to fold Aiden’s stroller when the first of his head injuries occurred at their apartment in the Mill Brook Houses.
“I accidentally bashed Aiden’s head against the door and he wouldn’t stop crying,” Rodriguez said, according to the criminal complaint. “I got angry and threw Aiden to the ground face-first. I got frustrated and threw him to the ground.”
Aiden died of massive head trauma, authorities said, including a significant shift in his brain’s positioning.
Rodriguez has a history of child abuse, authorities said. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for giving another of his son’s two black eyes, prosecutors said. That child was just three months old at the time.
“We will pursue justice for this most innocent victim and for the family members coping with such a horrible loss,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said.
Rodriguez is due back in court June 5.