A 2-year-old boy from Queens has died after weeks on life support following a brutal beating allegedly inflicted by his father, authorities and the child’s family confirmed Thursday. The boy, identified by loved ones as Maliek Williams, had been on a ventilator at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center with catastrophic injuries before succumbing to his wounds late Wednesday night, his mother announced on social media.
Maliek’s mother, Cyndy Williams, posted that her son died just before 10:30 p.m. in what she described as an unbearable loss. “My baby is gone… I have nothing else to say. I’m done,” she wrote. Her grief has been echoed by family members and supporters who had been praying and holding vigils throughout the boy’s fight for life.
Allegations and Investigation
Police allege that 30-year-old Dayvon Morrison beat the boy so severely that he suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including brain bleeds, damage to the brain stem, a fractured pelvis, a lacerated liver, and swelling of the brain. Instead of seeking immediate medical care, prosecutors say Morrison waited days and even traveled with the injured toddler, disregarding his condition, before witnesses recognized the severity of the child’s injuries and called 911 in East Harlem early Monday.
Morrison initially told police he had been intoxicated at the time of the assault and did not seek medical attention because he was unaware of the extent of the injuries. Prosecutors counter that evidence shows he failed to provide necessary care even after noticing bruising, a claim that family members say deepens the tragedy.
He was arraigned earlier this week on attempted murder and first-degree assault charges and is being held without bail. Prosecutors have indicated that charges could be upgraded in light of the boy’s death.
Family and Community Response
Williams had repeatedly raised concerns about her son’s safety before the incident, saying she warned child welfare officials and the courts that something was wrong. “I begged ACS. I begged the court. I have paper trails. I have messages. All of that. This shouldn’t have happened,” she said in a previous interview.
Advocates and community members held prayer vigils and offered support as neighbors grappled with shock and sorrow over the loss of such a young life. City officials, including the Administration for Children’s Services, expressed their condolences and reiterated their commitment to investigating the circumstances that led to the boy’s death.
Looking Ahead
As the Queens community mourns Maliek’s passing, questions remain about how his injuries went unnoticed and untreated for so long. Authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events, while prosecutors prepare to pursue additional charges against his father in connection with this tragic case.
The heartbreaking death of a child — so young and with so much of life ahead of him — has left a deep imprint on the family and neighbors who had hoped for his recovery.
