After seven months of investigation, the death of baby Ermias Taylor Santiago has been declared a homicide due to a drug overdose, the New York Police reported today.
The 2-year-old was found unresponsive at his home on Hillside Avenue, Staten Island County, on May 20 at around 11:33 a.m., according to the NYPD. First responders transported the boy to Staten Island University North Campus Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The authorities told Pix11 that the toddler died of a fentanyl overdose at a relative’s home. The investigation is ongoing. Everyone who was in contact with the boy is being questioned, but no arrests have been announced.
In a similar case, a 23-year-old man was charged this week with killing his girlfriend’s baby, at the close of a six-month-old police and FBI investigation in New York’s Orange County.
Several children died in the last months of 2021 in NYC victims of alleged abuse in their homes. Other cases have also been reported in 2022.
In April, Daniel Auster, son of famed novelist Paul Auster, died in Brooklyn days after being charged in the overdose death of his baby.
Earlier this month a man was charged in the violent death of his 23-month-old daughter, who allegedly died after receiving a blow to the head in Brooklyn.
A teenager with cerebral palsy was also found burned to death inside his Brooklyn home and the death was ruled a homicide by police. And a former NYPD cop was sentenced to 25 years for the abusive death of his autistic son on Long Island.
If you are a victim or suspect that someone is being mistreated, especially if they are a minor or elderly person:
- Call 911 or 1.888.NYCWELL (1.888.692.9355).
- Text “WELL” to 65173.
- Review information at https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/es/