Marlon Adilson Melendez / Photo courtesy MCSAO
A man was found guilty Thursday of abusing and murdering his girlfriend’s 16-month-old son in 2023.
Marlon Melendez, 30, of Washington D.C. was convicted of first-degree child abuse resulting in death, second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, and second-degree child abuse, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
According to police at the time of arrest, authorities responded to a Silver Spring home in March 2023 for a child not breathing. The toddler was pronounced dead at a hospital.
An autopsy revealed signs of child abuse, police said, and detectives learned that Melendez, the boyfriend of the child’s mother, allegedly abused the child and caused serious injuries. Melendez is not the child’s biological father.
In a written statement, County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said, “This is an outrageously sad case involving the loss of a one-year-old baby. We express our deepest condolences to the victim’s family. We are thankful to Montgomery County Police for their thorough investigation and to our prosecution team for their pursuit of justice on behalf of this innocent child.”
Melendez potentially faces life in prison, plus 65 years. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13.
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