A Mother’s Boyfriend Allegedly Beats Her 1-Year-Old Son ‘Like a Man’ With a Horrifying Result

The mother of a 1-year-old boy went to work on Nov. 23, leaving her son in the care of her boyfriend at the time. But what was meant to be a typical babysitting arrangement quickly turned horrific when the unnamed mother returned home to a shocking sight.

According to a criminal complaint, authorities were called to the Pennsylvania home following reports of an unresponsive child. The mother told police she found her son, named Kybrel, on the couch after coming home from work, according to WTAE.

When questioned by authorities, the mother’s boyfriend, Lyndon Henderson, said the boy fell off the couch onto the floor while playing. According to Henderson, Kybrel was smiling after his fall, reports WTAE.

The baby boy was rushed to the hospital and placed on a ventilator, according to WTAE. Officials said the boy endured a traumatic brain injury and bruises to his body. In the complaint, Kybrel’s doctor told officials his injuries were “unequivocally the result of child abuse,” clearly differing from Henderson’s story.

“He was beat like a man. A man beat my grandson,” Carla Darrell, the victim’s grandmother, told WXPI. “He didn’t do [anything.] There was nothing possible he could’ve [done] to do this to him.”

Henderson, 24, was arrested and initially charged with assault, according to WPXI. “I don’t believe he belongs out of jail. He belongs there. He belongs where he deserves. He deserves in there,” Darrell continued.

Five weeks after to November incident, the one-year-old remains in the hospital, according to the family. Kybrel has been placed on a feeding tube in a medically induced coma as he recovers. The little boy also suffered a stroke and has a broken vertebra in his neck, according to WPXI.

The ongoing severity of Kybrel’s injures prompted the Washington County District Attorney to up Henderson’s charges from simple assault to attempted homicide, according to the DA’s office.

“My office will always seek justice for victims. Children are innocent and our most vulnerable, and I will prosecute offenders who commit crimes against them vigorously and to the fullest extent the law allows,” District Attorney Jason Walsh said.

According to PEOPLE, Henderson remains in jail without bond. he is expected to appear in court later this month.