A Wisconsin man arrested and charged for allegedly punching a 2-month-old boy as he was in the arms of his mother admitted to throwing the punches, prosecutors said.
Jaquirion Dancer, the newborn, died on June 5 after the beating at a house in Milwaukee.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox 6, Kenta Evans went to the home, where the baby’s mother lived, to see the baby.
While there, the adults got into a fight. Jessica McNeal, Jaquirion’s mother, told officers that Evans “quickly switched from wanting to see (Jaquerrion) to accusing (McNeal) of having other men in the house.” He also took her cellphone and “smashed it against the wall.”
McNeal picked up Jaquirion and asked Evans to leave, prompting him to punch her multiple times, reported WISN.
The sister of the woman rushed into the room and grabbed the baby before noticing the infant was bleeding and subsequently rushing him to the hospital.
Police officers said when they caught up to Evans hiding in the closet at the home of his mother he admitted to punching the baby multiple times.
Evans told officers that he was upset. He said that he tried taking the baby away from the boy’s mother and when he was not able to he “became frustrated and began punching her repeatedly.”
Charged: Milwaukee man admits to ‘punching’ 2-month-old infant, injuries led to baby’s death https://t.co/346DXR2S7M via @fox6now
— Derica Williams (@dwilliamsfox6) June 10, 2019
When Evans was shown the injuries inflicted upon the baby, he “admitted he caused the injuries by punching” the boy.
Doctors found the baby suffered skull fractures, hemorrhaging, and other brain injuries. An autopsy identified the cause of death as homicide.
Evans was charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Kenta Evans Sr., Evans’ father, told Fox 6 that his son blacked out with rage.
‘He was so sweet:’ Family speaks out with charges pending in case of 2-month-old baby who died https://t.co/uLDGlJFRA8 via @fox6now Hear why the child’s grandmother says there is more to the story on @fox6wakeup
— Derica Williams (@dwilliamsfox6) June 9, 2019
“He said he blanked out,” Evans Sr. said. He then blamed McNeal.
“Our son is taking responsibility for his part. He would never hurt that baby. You put this baby in harm’s way by picking this baby up and using him for a shield. He is struggling, hurting behind this. He says, ‘Dad, I miss my little man every day.’ My son says, ‘I miss my little man,’” said Evans Sr.
Rev. Dan Quakkelaar, a pastor who met with the baby’s mother following the death, said that she’s “very sad.”
“You know, this is her little boy who was born not long ago, a preemie who was fighting and doing well, and for her this is a huge tragedy,” he told CNN. “You can tell from the picture that he was a beautiful boy and full of life, and it’s hard to deal with when a life like that is lost and so tragically and so unnecessarily.”
In a GoFundMe, Jordan Morales, a member of the church, asked people to donate money for the baby’s funeral.
“Jaquerrion Dancer was killed on June 5, 2019. At just 2 months old, Jaquerrion brought joy to his mother Jessica, who loved her son more than anything. Friend of Sinners Church, at 3033 N 30th St, is now raising money to cover the funeral costs of the baby. All excess funds will go directly to Jessica, the mother. Please mourn with us and give what you can to help this grieving mother,” he wrote.
The fundraiser has raised nearly $1,600 in four days.
