Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Boyfriend of Harlem 6-Year-Old's Mom Faces Charge of Killing the Child

By Dartunorro Clark | January 18, 2017 4:16pm
 Zymere Perkins died late September 2016 after enduring months of physically abuse by his mother's boyfriend, officials said.
Zymere Perkins died late September 2016 after enduring months of physically abuse by his mother's boyfriend, officials said.
View Full Caption
Facebook
 

HARLEM — The boyfriend of Zymere Perkins' mother could be charged with killing the boy.

The Manhattan District Attorney is presenting a grand jury a homicide case against 42-year-old Rysheim Smith, the boyfriend of the 6-year-old's mother Geraldine Perkins, his office said.

The news comes after Zymere’s death was ruled a homicide last year and a report ordered by Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that the Administration for Children's Services failed to order medical examinations of Zymere "despite allegations of serious physical abuse.”

Zymere, who lived in Harlem, died in September 2016 after Smith beat him with a wooden broomstick and his hands until the boy's body went limp, prosecutors said.

The initial autopsy in September showed Zymere had bruises on his torso, finger marks on his neck, several fractured ribs that had healed and a contusion to his head, according to the ME.

The homicide ruling confirmed that the cause of death was “acute and chronic abuse and neglect.”

Three ACS employees involved with Zymere's case have been fired and another six employees have been suspended and demoted.

Both Smith and Perkins were initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

The DA’s office declined to comment on whether murder charges will be brought against Perkins.

HideStory
Story Images: