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

Dad Breaks Toddler's Skull in Father's Day Beating, DA Says

BROOKLYN — A toddler critically beaten by her dad on Father’s Day in their Coney Island apartment suffered a skull fracture, loss of oxygen to her brain and bruising all over her body, prosecutors said.

Shaquan Taylor, 19, told investigators that 16-month-old Nylah Lewis, who was still in critical condition at Coney Island hospital Tuesday, was injured after she fell off a bed inside his apartment at 3025 W. 32nd St. on the afternoon of June 18, according to a criminal complaint and the NYPD.

But a doctor later determined that her injuries could not have been suffered from merely falling and were sustained from an intentional assault.

Nylah appeared to be unharmed when she left at about noon on Sunday to see her father, prosecutors said.

When her mother, who had an order of protection against Taylor, arrived at his apartment at about 3:15 p.m., Nylah was “unresponsive” and had “labored breathing,” court papers stated.

Taylor then allegedly attacked the mother, punching her in her face several times.

He was later arrested and charged with assault, criminal contempt, endangering the welfare of a child, menacing and harassment.

The dad was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Monday and held on $500,000 bond, according to court records.

Taylor has previous arrests for robbery and criminal trespass, but police were not aware any domestic violence incidents, an NYPD spokesman said.

The city’s Administration for Children’s Services did not provide information about any previous incidents of child abuse or neglect. 

"ACS and NYPD are actively investigating the circumstances of this troubling incident,” an ACS spokesman said. “Confidentiality laws preclude us from commenting further.” 

Taylor's lawyer did immediately return a request for comment. 

He is due back in court on June 23.