Father convicted of murdering his 3-year-old son in Queens.

A father from Queens has been found guilty in the 2022 murder of his three-year-old son, also named Shaquan Butler. The Queens District Attorney’s Office reported the conviction on Thursday. The case garnered significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

In November 2022, first responders discovered the young boy unconscious at a family shelter located on Queens Boulevard near Hillyer Street in Elmhurst. The child was unresponsive, exhibiting multiple bruises on his body and a faint heartbeat, lying in cold water on the floor. Emergency services were alerted following a 911 call made by the boy’s mother. He was subsequently pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Elmhurst Hospital.

On Wednesday evening, a jury convicted the 29-year-old father of depraved indifference murder, assault, and additional charges linked to the death of his son and for injuries inflicted on his younger brother. The prosecution presented harrowing evidence that painted a picture of prolonged abuse. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, young Shaquan Butler Jr. sustained 23 fractures to his ribs, three lacerations to his liver, and was found with bruises covering his body, as well as an empty stomach at the time of discovery. Butler now faces a sentence ranging from 32 years to life in prison for his crimes.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching a verdict, highlighting the compelling nature of the evidence presented during the trial. Initially, Butler purported that the child had choked on a chicken nugget and subsequently struck his head while running into a pole. However, medical professionals revealed findings that contradicted his account, pointing to ongoing abuse. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that the child’s death resulted from a heart attack due to a punctured lung caused by broken ribs.

When Shaquan died, the family was already under scrutiny from the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) based on prior allegations. Just weeks prior to the incident, ACS had removed the children from their parents’ custody due to concerns about their welfare but had returned them home on October 6. This swift reinstatement raised serious questions regarding the protocols and decisions made by the agency.

While ACS confirmed it is involved in an investigation alongside the NYPD, the agency has refrained from commenting on the details pertaining to the family’s history with their services. The outcome of their investigation has not yet been disclosed. As the case continues to unfold, many within the community have expressed their outrage over the tragic loss of young Shaquan and the apparent failures of protective services that should have ensured his safety.