A two-month-old boy was beaten to death while his mother held him, police officials in Wisconsin said.
The victim was identified as Jaquirion Dancer, also named in a GoFundMe for the family as Jaquerrion Dancer.
Police officers in Milwaukee rushed to a house on the morning of June 5 after getting a call about domestic violence, reported WISN. The baby was in his mother’s arms when the suspect started beating both of them. Baby Jaquirion, who was taken to a hospital, was pronounced dead later that day.
Police said they’ve detained the suspect but have not identified him. They declined to say whether or not it was the baby’s father.
“We do have a suspect in custody for that. It is going to be reviewed at the district attorney’s office in the next coming days,” Steve Caballero, assistant Milwaukee chief of police, told CNN.
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 said. “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.”
Quakkelaar’s church, Friend of Sinners, is near the house where the beating happened.
“That familiarity brings what happened really close to home,” Jordan Morales, a leader at the church, told Fox 6.
“We’re here to help grieve, and that’s because we love our neighbor,” Quakkelaar added.
George Bailey, a neighbor, told the broadcaster, “It’s a sad thing that kids have to go like that. I can’t even imagine, to think about something like that happen to my baby.”
Morales launched the GoFundMe to help the baby’s mother, Jessica, saying the baby “brought joy” to her and that she “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,” Morales added.
‘Horrible thing:’ 2-month-old boy died at hospital after being struck by man in homicide case: https://t.co/bx1JGo0RF2 pic.twitter.com/vnd64HpNYL
— FOX6 News (@fox6now) June 6, 2019
Reactions
People reacted to a Facebook post shared by WISN reporter Hilary Mintz showing a picture of the baby.
“Prayers for this family. Rest in peace little angel,” said one person.
“I don’t know! There should be an option to put a sad emoji and an angry one! RIP little Angel. My deepest condolences to the Mother and the Family,” said another.
“This is soo sad! How can somebody beat an innocent baby to death?? SMDH!!!!” said another.
“So sad smh RIP sending prayers to the family and friends in Jesus name amen,” added another.
“I’m curious if this was another live in boyfriend/screw/babysitter/video gamer?” added another. “At this rate I don’t understand why get pregnant by 1 guy but you not gonna stay with him anyways & gonna look for a ‘stepdaddy’ to play real daddy but he don’t give a dam about your kids that you had with another dude.”
Reporting Child Abuse
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation.
Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect. To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website.
The Childhelp organization can also provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
“Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children),” according to Childhelp.
