Suffolk County police arrested a man accused killing a 4-year-old boy found alone inside a Long Island home.
Adonis Reed was found unconscious and alone in an Amityville apartment on Wednesday afternoon. The boy later died at the hospital.
Jonathan Thompson was apprehended Friday night around 7:35 p.m. in Brooklyn. He was arraigned Saturday in Central Islip on murder charges.
It was an emotional day in court as family and friends of the victim attended the hearing.
Some people wept openly. Others were brought to their knees in the parking lot outside the Suffolk County courthouse. Others were clearly angry and outraged about the death of their relative Adonis Reed.
"He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve to get beat like that," said one family member.
Thompson has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder charges. But prosecutors say the 31-year-old has admitted he punched the 4-year-old boy twice and caused significant internal bleeding; all because the child wouldn't take a nap.
Investigators say Thompson lived in the house where Reed was discovered dead Wednesday.
The boy was found alone inside the home, badly bruised. It's unclear what Thompson's relationship to the boy is, but reports indicate he was dating the child's grandmother who also lived at the house.
Lashon Reed says she is victim's aunt.
"A God given gift and we cherished him. And I tried so long to help him," said Reed.
Adonis Reed had a sister and she is now in the custody of the child welfare department.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:19:35 GMT
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:32:29 GMT
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
