A heartbreaking case from New York has captured national attention. A 2-yNew York Father Told His 17-Year-Old Ex-Girlfriend He Threw Their 2-Year-Old Son Into the River and Threatened Her With a Knife When Questioned About the Boy’s Whereabouts; Arrestedear-old boy, Montrell W., was allegedly thrown into a river by his father, 20-year-old Arius W., during a court-approved visit.
The child was later found dead. This incident has not only shocked the community but also raised serious concerns about how the police handled the case in its early days.
What Happened to Montrell?
On May 10, Montrell was with his father, Arius, for a court-approved visit linked to Mother’s Day. That evening, after an argument at his home, Arius left with the child.
It was the last time Montrell was seen alive. The boy’s young mother, just 17 years old, became worried when she didn’t hear from Arius and reported it to the police the same night.
Police Response Questioned
Despite the mother’s concerns, police treated the case as a domestic matter and did not act quickly. For nearly three weeks, Montrell’s family begged officers to treat the child as missing, but they were told that since the child was with his father during a visit, there was no emergency.
Shocking Turn of Events
On May 30, the child’s mother filed a report for custodial interference after hearing disturbing comments from Arius, suggesting he had done something to Montrell.
Still, he refused to say where the child was. Then, on June 7, the mother unexpectedly saw Arius on the street and demanded answers. Instead, he allegedly pulled a knife on her. Police arrested him immediately.
Search and Discovery
Following his arrest, investigators reviewed CCTV footage and saw someone, believed to be Arius, throwing an object off a bridge into the river on May 10.
On June 12, nearly a month later, a child’s body was found in the river, matching Montrell’s description and clothing. While an autopsy is still underway, police have told the family that it’s most likely Montrell.
Arius W.’s Arrest and History
Arius was arrested for contempt of court after he refused to say where Montrell was during a custody hearing. He remains in jail.
Authorities are now building a stronger case, and if the autopsy confirms the death as a homicide, Arius could face murder or manslaughter charges. It was also revealed that Arius had previously been arrested for assaulting Montrell’s mother when she was just 15.
Family and Community Outrage
Montrell’s mother and family are angry and heartbroken. They believe the police didn’t take their concerns seriously because of racial bias. “If this was a white baby, they’d be on it immediately,” the mother wrote online.
The family made social media posts, printed flyers, and did everything they could to find Montrell when police didn’t help.
Police Department Under Review
Police Commissioner J. Tisch confirmed the department is now reviewing how the case was initially handled. The slow response has brought public criticism and demands for justice, not just for Montrell but also for how missing child cases are treated in general.