The drug-addicted Connecticut man accused of violently beating his 6-year-old stepson with a baseball bat was forced to wear a spit-proof mask in court Thursday — after learning he was now at risk life in prison without parole due to the boy’s tragic death.
Abdulrahim Sulaiman, 38, who previously spat at court officials, is now charged with special circumstances murder – punishable by a long prison sentence – in the September 25 beating that also left his wife and his youngest son seriously injured. reported the Connecticut Post.
“He’s a monster and he should be locked up for life,” Anna Escobar, the dead boy’s aunt, told the media outlet outside the courthouse.
“We want to know why this happened, why my nephew was beaten to death,” added another aunt, Jasmin Escobar. “We want answers from [the state Department of Children and Families] Also.
“They knew there were problems in this house, but they didn’t do anything, and we want to know why.”
Sulaiman, who also faces charges of murder, attempted murder and assault, went berserk on his family with a baseball bat in his hand after smoking angel dust, authorities said.
All three victims were seriously injured, but Jathan Escobar had injuries so severe that brain matter was visible on his bloodied head when police arrived.
The youth clung to life for a week before dying, police said.
In Bridgeport Judicial District Court on Thursday, Sulaiman stood before the judge, handcuffed and wearing a beige robe – with the spit mask covering his entire head.
Despite his assurances that he would behave well, authorities took no chances given his past outbursts.
“Don’t worry,” the accused murderer told Judge Tracy Lee Dayton. “I’m not going to misbehave.”
The special circumstance murder charge was created after the state eliminated the death penalty. He faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to the Connecticut Post, Bridgeport police went to the family’s home after receiving numerous 911 calls about a man “severely assaulting” a woman and her children.
Sulaiman allegedly jumped out of a window and into a dumpster head first when cops arrived.
A police officer reported seeing the accused killer muttering at the scene, blood streaming from his arms and hands, when a neighbor fingered him instead of the officer.
“It’s him,” they said. “Don’t let him escape.”
Detectives then interviewed his battered wife at St. Vincent Medical Center and told them that Sulaiman smoked angel dust, threatened the family with a gun and beat them with a bat.
Cops then found a .22 caliber handgun inside the apartment.
The case has raised questions about the state’s child care agency, which acknowledged last week that the agency “interacted” with the family about two months ago, a reported the media.
In a statement, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly called the incident “shocking and horrific.”
However, Jathan’s family still demands answers.
“I just think someone failed this family and this could have been avoided,” Anna Escobar said.
The Connecticut state attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
