Child, 6, Dies Days After Assault, Murder Charge Added: Bridgeport PD

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Jathan Escobar, the 6-year-old who Bridgeport police said was beaten with a baseball bat by his stepfather last week, has died, according to authorities.

The boy had been declared brain-dead, according to his family, and had been on a ventilator. Jathan's 4-year-old brother, Eli, and their 33-year-old mother, were seriously injured in the attack but survived.

Bridgeport police have upgraded charges against Jathan's stepfather, Bridgeport resident Abdulrahim Sulaiman, 38, to include murder with special circumstances.

"The Bridgeport Police Department’s thoughts and prayers are with [Jathan's] entire family and friends," said Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran in a statement.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in honor of Eli and Jathan, and as of Wednesday, it has raised more than $9,000 toward a goal of $15,000.

"In honor of the loving, joyful spirit Jathan had, my brother has made the decision to donate his organs, allowing Jathan to help others and be the hero we always knew him to be," wrote Anna Escobar, who created the GoFundMe page.

Sulaiman, who remains in custody, is accused of beating the three in their Main Street home on Sept. 25, in what police said was a domestic violence case.

He is next scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Oct. 10; at his recent arraignment hearing, Sulaiman reportedly fought with, and spit at, marshals.