PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An 8-year-old who suffered life-threatening injuries after his mother’s fiancé allegedly slammed him on a bed, has died.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that 8-year-old JonMarquis Stepich died on Thursday.
Doctors told police the North Braddock child had severe head injuries and bruising on his body, which were consistent with severe trauma.
Williams and the boy’s mother, took the child to UPMC McKeesport Hospital early Monday morning. He was then flown to Children’s Hospital, where doctors say he had a herniated brain stem, subdural bleeding and bruises on different areas of his body.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams was watching his son and his fiancée’s two sons after a trip to Ohiopyle and Big Bear, West Virginia, on Sunday.
Williams and a friend had been drinking at those locations and his fiancée drove them home. When they arrived, she left and went to work.
During the night, Williams entered the 8-year-old’s bedroom and tripped over a laundry basket. He woke the child up and yelled at him to clean his room. He left the room and returned a couple of minutes later to see the child sitting on the edge of the bed.
Williams told police he grabbed the child and slammed him on the bed. He told police his intention was to slam the child in the middle of the bed, but missed. The child fell to the floor and was unresponsive.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.