A Los Angeles man is facing murder charges in the death of his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son, whose body was discovered in a dumpster in Panorama City in a case that has shocked the community.
According to authorities, 5-year-old Elyjah Hearn was found dead on July 12, 2025, wrapped in a blanket inside a dumpster behind a commercial area. Prosecutors allege the child was killed by his mother’s then-boyfriend, Brycson Malik Gaddis, who has since been charged with murder and assault on a child causing death.
A recently released autopsy report revealed the horrifying extent of the child’s injuries. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined Elyjah died from blunt force trauma and ruled the death a homicide.
Investigators documented numerous injuries across the boy’s body, including lacerations, abrasions, fractures, and severe internal damage. The report also found the injuries were in various stages of healing—an indication that the child had been subjected to repeated abuse over time rather than a single incident.
Additional findings detailed broken bones, head trauma, and internal bleeding, underscoring the severity of the assault. In total, officials noted dozens of injuries, pointing to prolonged violence leading up to the child’s death.
Surveillance footage obtained during the investigation reportedly shows a man and woman carrying what appeared to be a blanket-wrapped body on the night of the killing, near the location where Elyjah was later found.
Gaddis, who is not the child’s biological father, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Family members described Elyjah as a loving child who was on the autism spectrum and brought joy to those around him. His death has reignited concerns about child abuse and the vulnerability of children in unsafe environments.
The case remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare for trial, while advocates continue to call for stronger protections to prevent similar tragedies.
Here’s more from ABC7.
