Hartford, CT – A Connecticut father has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2023 death of his six-month-old son, who suffered multiple injuries consistent with child abuse, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Arrest and Charges

Donte Morley, 27, was arrested last Friday after being extradited from Florida, where he was being held on unrelated charges, the Hartford Police Department confirmed. He faces one count of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of risk of injury to a minor in connection with the death of his infant son, Jaheem Morley.

Emergency Response and Initial Investigation

On April 5, 2023, emergency responders arrived at a Rosemont Street residence at approximately 6:10 a.m. following a report of an unresponsive infant. Life-saving measures were performed on Jaheem before he was transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The child was placed on a ventilator and listed in critical condition.

Medical examinations revealed Jaheem had multiple fractures in various stages of healing, including broken ribs and clavicles, as well as subdermal bleeding and brain swelling. Doctors determined the injuries were “nonaccidental.”

Conflicting Statements and Prior Incidents

Morley initially told authorities he had been feeding his son before placing him on the bed and stepping outside for a cigarette. When he returned, he claimed he found Jaheem unresponsive and called 911.

Investigators later discovered that Jaheem had been taken to the hospital on March 30, 2023, for a reported fall. He was discharged but was brought back the next day by his mother after she noticed pink discoloration in his urine. Further medical evaluations found the infant was dehydrated, had significant weight loss, and exhibited testicular swelling. He was discharged again but continued to vomit in the following days.

A witness later told investigators that Morley had been seen shaking the infant violently on March 30, 2023, and was warned to stop. The witness recalled that Morley was frantically seeking a ride to the hospital while Jaheem appeared to be suffering a seizure.

Autopsy and Homicide Ruling

Jaheem Morley succumbed to his injuries on April 7, 2023. An autopsy confirmed he died from complications of blunt head trauma and subdural hemorrhage. The death was ruled a homicide, with injuries believed to have occurred shortly before he was taken to the hospital.

Flight and Arrest

After Jaheem’s death, Morley fled Connecticut. His location remained uncertain until his eventual arrest in Florida. His mother later provided investigators with text messages, including one in which she accused Morley of killing their child. Morley allegedly responded, “I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to shook (sic) him.”

Morley remains in custody on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 22. He has not yet entered a plea.