BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a first-degree manslaughter charge after a 2-year-old boy died in Kaisertown.
Bashar Hall, 23, lived at the Weaver Street home where officers were called Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the boy was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. District Attorney John Flynn said the child was shaken and beaten.
"I'm a father of five. I have been up in the middle of the night countless times with a baby crying. I cannot comprehend what would lead someone to do this alleged act," said Flynn.
According to his counsel, Hall had no criminal record.
The Erie County Medical Examiner said Thursday the boy died from blunt force trauma.
Flynn said he's waiting on autopsy results to determine whether to charge Hall with murder.
The full autopsy report will not be available for a few months.
"I'll be looking very carefully at the depraved indifference murder charge here, but I need the autopsy. I need the medical records to find out exactly how badly this baby was beaten up," said Flynn.
Manslaughter holds a maximum sentence of 25 years while a murder charge holds a max of life in prison.
The judge set bail at $500,000.
Hall is due back in court July 23 for a felony hearing.
Flynn added it's important for parents to know the resources available if they need help.
Among the organizations in Western New York available to parents: