2-year-old boy died after his stepfather took his frustration out on the toddler following a counseling session and struck him in the head approximately 15 times; stepfather charged
Arizona – In a heartbreaking incident in Arizona, a 26-year-old man, identified as H. Lwin, has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of his 2-year-old stepson. The stepfather now faces serious charges after admitting to repeatedly assaulting the young child, who ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Lwin was taken into custody by authorities in October, following a distressing call he made to emergency services claiming his stepchild was choking. Officers and medical personnel quickly responded to Lwin’s apartment around 6:15 p.m. on October 24, 2024. Despite their efforts to save the child, he tragically passed away three days later, on October 27.
Police later revealed that the initial charges against Lwin were amended to first-degree murder once the severity of the child’s injuries was determined during the investigation. These injuries were not consistent with an accidental choking but rather pointed to prolonged physical abuse.
The situation unraveled further when investigators found visible ligature marks on the toddler’s neck upon their arrival at the scene. This discovery prompted a deeper examination into the child’s death. According to reports, during an interview with detectives, Lwin’s initial story about the child’s accidental choking began to crumble.
Lwin confessed to having a particularly stressful day after a counseling session and taking out his frustration on the young boy. He admitted to striking the child approximately 15 times in the head with an open hand. Lwin described additional rough handling, including tossing the boy onto the bed and swinging him by the shirt, which accidentally tightened around the child’s neck. The abuse escalated to the point where the boy hit his head on the headboard multiple times and suffered a split lip, which Lwin attempted to clean. Approximately 40 minutes later, the child began to have difficulty breathing, leading Lwin to finally contact emergency services.
During the police interview, Lwin appeared to acknowledge the gravity of his actions, stating, “I deserve everything that is coming to me.” This admission came too late for his young stepson, who by then was critically injured and on the brink of death. Currently held without bond in the county’s jail, Lwin is scheduled to make his next court appearance today. He faces a slew of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault on a child, child abuse, and ultimately first-degree murder.
The community and the family of the young victim are left reeling from the brutality of the events. Neighbors and community members expressed deep sorrow and shock over the senseless violence against a defenseless child. The incident has sparked conversations about child safety and the critical importance of properly addressing signs of child abuse. The loss has particularly devastated the toddler’s biological family, who are struggling to cope with the irreversible damage and the cruel manner of his death. The case continues to develop, and local authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
