Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II has announced that the death of Aydin Brown , 7, has been ruled a homicide and that the cause of death is blunt force injury.
In Newark's first homicide for 2019, Prosecutor Stephens has also announced that authorities have charged Mr. Mark Harper, 36 of Union, with murder.
Officials say Harper had previously been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
According to officials, the child was pronounced dead on Monday morning at Beth Israel Medical Center. Newark police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Weequahic Avenue on reports of a sick or injured child.
Arriving officers observed an unresponsive child within the residence.
Police and emergency medical personnel rushed the victim to the hospital.
Officials say this matter is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.
As a result of the investigation, charges were upgraded earlier today, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly.
Harper, who was identified as the boyfriend of Aydin’s mother has been lodged in the Essex County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing in NJ Superior Court police said.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutor's Tips Line at (877) 847-7432.