COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An Ashburn man accused of murdering his infant son couldn't keep his story straight following an arrest this weekend, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Brandon Holman, 34, reportedly told police that 2-month-old Bryson could've died when he rolled off an air mattress on to the floor. The boy may have choked on his own vomit, Holman told officers, or fallen from a car seat on to the ground.
According to prosecutors, Holman also theorized he could've accidentally smothered Bryson in his sleep as the two shared a mattress, or killed the boy by dropping him on the floor or squeezing too hard when he cried.
Whatever the case — Bryson's death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
The infant had multiple broken ribs, a lacerated liver, a subdural hemorrhage, an abrasion on his head and bruising to his neck, arm, chest and abdomen, Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Howroyd said during a bond hearing Tuesday.
According to prosecutors, Holman is married with three children, including a newborn.
He also has a girlfriend, who is Bryson's mother, prosecutors said. Bryson is the couple's first child, according to Howroyd, and Holman's wife and relatives didn't know the boy existed.
Holman, his girlfriend and Bryson went out to dinner about 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to prosecutors. After the meal, Holman agreed to take Bryson home with him for the evening. It was the first time Bryson would go home with his father, Howroyd said.
Holman returned to his parents' house in the 3200 block of West 83rd Place late Friday and immediately brought Bryson to the basement, where there was an air mattress, prosecutors said. Holman's family didn't know he and the baby were downstairs.
Early Saturday, Bryson's mother called Holman to check on the baby and heard Bryson crying in the background, Howroyd said.
About noon Saturday, police and paramedics were called to Holman's parents' house, where they found Holman sitting on a porch with Bryson in his arms, according to prosecutors.
The baby was cold to the touch, and rigor mortis had already begun to set in, Howroyd said.
Police interviewed Bryson's mother, who said the boy was in good health and did not have any medical issues, according to prosecutors. Family friends babysat Bryson all day Friday and reported that he was "completely healthy with no signs of injury," Howroyd said.
Holman was arrested about 12:20 p.m. Saturday. He is charged with first-degree murder.
Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil on Tuesday ordered him held in lieu of $1 million bail.
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