Boy with Autism Dies Weeks After Being Severely Beaten by His Mother’s Boyfriend

A 6-year-old Florida boy who authorities say was brutally beaten by his mother’s boyfriend has died after spending weeks in critical condition.

Mason, who was autistic, was rushed to a North Miami Beach hospital on Jan. 9 after being found in cardiac arrest at his home, according to arrest records from the Miami-Dade Police Department filed in county court.

Doctors later discovered the little boy had suffered devastating injuries, including internal brain bleeding, a fractured arm, bruising to his face and back, swelling to his head and lacerations to his liver, kidney and spleen.

Despite weeks on life support, Mason’s grandmother told NBC Miami that he was taken off a ventilator and died on Feb. 27.

Police have not yet confirmed whether additional charges will be filed following his death.

Two days after Mason was hospitalized, authorities arrested his mother’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero. Investigators say Romero gave conflicting explanations for the child’s injuries.

According to arrest records, Romero — who is not Mason’s biological father — initially claimed the injuries happened while Mason was learning to ride a bicycle. Authorities allege he later changed his story when he could not produce the bike.

Mason’s mother, 32-year-old Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, initially backed that explanation, but later told investigators that Romero instructed her to say they had been riding bikes.

Police records show Hernandez also described earlier incidents in which Romero blamed Mason’s injuries on accidents — including falling and hitting his head on a television, and slipping while running indoors in socks.

The following day, Mason’s lips reportedly began turning blue. Hernandez told Romero to call 911, and officers responded to the home.

Hernandez later told investigators she believed Romero caused her son’s injuries. She said he often became frustrated with Mason, attributing the behavior to his autism. She also claimed he grew irritated when their 5-month-old baby cried.

Romero was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm, child neglect causing great bodily harm and providing false information to law enforcement. He pleaded not guilty and remains held without bond.

Hernandez turned herself in two weeks after Romero’s arrest. She was charged with child abuse, child neglect causing great bodily harm and providing false information to law enforcement. She also pleaded not guilty. Her bond was set at $7,500, and she has since been released.

It is unclear whether prosecutors will upgrade the charges in light of Mason’s death.

Following Hernandez’s surrender, her attorney described her as a victim and criticized authorities for charging her.

“We are extremely disappointed that the North Miami Beach Police Department has decided to arrest and press charges against a mother who is nothing more than a victim,” her attorney, Hugo Apellaniz, told NBC Miami. “The police are aware that our client is also a victim at the hands of Daniel Romero, as unfortunately her son was as well.”