A 23-year-old New York man has been charged with the vicious murder of a 3-year-old boy who was the son of his girlfriend.
Wallkill Town Police Chief Robert Hertman and Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Tuesday that Gionni Sellers has been indicted on charges of murder and manslaughter in the June 2 murder of Xavier Johnson.
Officials said he was babysitting the younger while his mother was at work.
A neighbor made the initial 911 call that brought Wallkill Police to the home. The child was rushed to the hospital and died a short time later.
DA Hoovler described the boy’s injuries as “savage” and said he suffered blunt force trauma resulting in brain hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhages and internal bleeding.
“This young child should be alive today, should be enjoying the Christmas holiday and he’s not,” Hoovler said.
The investigation by a number of police agencies took place over a six-month period.
Sellers was arranged on December 16 and indicted by a grand jury on indicted on December 23.
If convicted or murder, Sellers faces 25 years to life in prison. If found guilty of the manslaughter charge, he could face 25 years behind bars.
Sellers was remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail or $5 million bond.
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