HOMICIDE ARREST - DEATH OF A CHILD
News Date: Thursday, July 6, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMICIDE ARREST
DEATH OF A CHILD
HOMICIDE ARREST
DEATH OF A CHILD
DEFENDANT
Charles A. ACOSTA (25 years of age)
Philadelphia, PA
Charles A. ACOSTA (25 years of age)
Philadelphia, PA
Charles A. Acosta
CHARGES:
Murder of the First Degree
Murder of the Third Degree
Aggravated Assault (multiple counts) (F1/F2)
Endangering Welfare of Children (F3)
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
During the early morning hours on Friday, May 5, 2023, a two-year-old male arrived at the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bern Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, with life-threatening injuries. The child was later flown to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for more advanced critical care. On the evening of May 5, 2023, the child was pronounced deceased by doctors at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
An investigation was initiated by the Berks County Detectives and on May 9, 2023, an autopsy was conducted on the victim in Dauphin County. The autopsy revealed that the victim suffered severe internal injuries, as well as head trauma. The cause of death was determined to be “multiple traumatic injuries” and the preliminary manner of death was determined to be homicide.
The criminal investigation revealed that prior to the victim displaying signs of medical distress, he was under the sole care and supervision of the defendant. At the time of this incident, the defendant was the paramour of the victim’s mother and was watching the victim and his siblings. During the late evening hours of Thursday, May 4, 2023, the defendant called the child’s mother and expressed concern over the child’s medical condition. He requested that she return home. Upon returning to 668 Schuylkill Avenue, the child was observed to be in extreme medical distress. He was then immediately transported to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Room by the defendant and the victim’s mother.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the defendant was charged with the afore-mentioned charges. A warrant of arrest was issued for Acosta by Magisterial District Judge Alvin B. Robinson, Reading, PA.
On Thursday, July 6, 2023, the defendant was taken into custody by members of the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Berks County Detectives, and Philadelphia Police in Philadelphia, where he currently resides. The defendant was returned to Berks County where he was arraigned and bail was denied.
A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
An investigation was initiated by the Berks County Detectives and on May 9, 2023, an autopsy was conducted on the victim in Dauphin County. The autopsy revealed that the victim suffered severe internal injuries, as well as head trauma. The cause of death was determined to be “multiple traumatic injuries” and the preliminary manner of death was determined to be homicide.
The criminal investigation revealed that prior to the victim displaying signs of medical distress, he was under the sole care and supervision of the defendant. At the time of this incident, the defendant was the paramour of the victim’s mother and was watching the victim and his siblings. During the late evening hours of Thursday, May 4, 2023, the defendant called the child’s mother and expressed concern over the child’s medical condition. He requested that she return home. Upon returning to 668 Schuylkill Avenue, the child was observed to be in extreme medical distress. He was then immediately transported to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Room by the defendant and the victim’s mother.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the defendant was charged with the afore-mentioned charges. A warrant of arrest was issued for Acosta by Magisterial District Judge Alvin B. Robinson, Reading, PA.
On Thursday, July 6, 2023, the defendant was taken into custody by members of the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Berks County Detectives, and Philadelphia Police in Philadelphia, where he currently resides. The defendant was returned to Berks County where he was arraigned and bail was denied.
A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
