FAR ROCKAWAY — The Queens district attorney said a man has been charged with first−degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly shaking his fiancÉe’s 2−year−old son, who suffered life−threatening injuries, including brain damage.
Queens DA Richard Brown said 35−year−old Walter Sanderson of 331 Beach 32nd St. in Far Rockaway was arraigned Monday night in Queens Criminal Court, where he was ordered held on $200,000 bail.
“According to the charges, the defendant violently shook a helpless and defenseless, perfectly healthy 2−year−old boy for whom he was supposed to be caring,” Brown said. “The child was gravely injured and may remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.”
Brown said Sanderson called police around 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning after his fiancÉe, Latoya Short, had left for work. Police said they discovered Short’s son, Bryan Wilson, unresponsive on the floor. According to Brown, Sanderson allegedly told police he believed the child had fallen off the couch.
Bryan was taken to St. John’s Hospital and was transferred to North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital where he was admitted with bleeding from the brain and eyes and cerebral swelling. Brown said doctors determined that the injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome and Sanderson was arrested.
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.
