Howard Brooks: Babyshaker May Have Charges Upgraded

via: Newsday

An 11-week-old Middle Island girl who suffered traumatic brain injuries at the hands of her mother's boyfriend has died, police said Thursday morning.

Madeline Mendolia succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 10 p.m. Wednesday at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Suffolk County police said.

The mother's boyfriend, Howard Brooks, 24, of Port Jefferson, was arrested Monday and charged with reckless assault of a child, a felony, as well as misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. His attorney, Jason Bassett of Central Islip, said Brooks denied intentionally hurting the girl, who he said had been lethargic.

Det. Sgt. Vincent Posillico of the Special Victims Unit said Wednesday that Brooks "cooperated with us and gave us information that he was the cause of the injuries."

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