Police arrested a man on murder charges in the Harlem death of a 10-year-old boy, NYPD officials said Sunday.
Ryan Cato, 34, was arrested on charges of murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
Ayden Wolfe was found unconscious and unresponsive in the fourth floor apartment of a New York City Housing Authority building on West 131st Street on Saturday, police said. He was bruised and cut. Wolfe died at a hospital.
Investigators determined the cause of Wolfe’s death was fatal child abuse syndrome.
Cato, the boyfriend of Wolfe’s mother, had called 911 after finding the boy unconscious, police said Monday. Wolfe was found with extensive bruising throughout his body.
Community members mourned his death at a rally on Sunday.
Many who live in Saint Nicholas houses said they had heard about domestic problem involving the family.
“From the information I have, people knew the family had been through trauma and in a bad situation,” Sheba Simpson, a neighbor and a candidate for the NYC Council, told PIX11 News. “Where are the services and resources that would have mitigated this murder?”
The NYC Administration for Children’s Services released this statement: “The safety and well-being of New York City’s children is our top priority. We are investigating this case with the NYPD.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the suspect‘s relationship to the victim. Authorities previously said Cato was the victim’s stepfather.
