Mother A.M.E. Zion Church in Harlem was filled to the doors on Thursday as mourners gathered for the funeral of 2-year-old Maliek, whose family says he died after suffering catastrophic injuries. Relatives read an obituary for the toddler and pledged to keep pushing for accountability while law enforcement continues its investigation.
Family Demands Answers at Mother A.M.E. Zion
Inside the historic Harlem church, family members and parishioners called for justice and answers, describing Maliek as a bright child taken far too soon, as reported by New York Daily News. Relatives again shared the obituary and cousin Joseph Edwards, speaking for the grieving family, urged officials to pursue real accountability in the case.
Prosecutors Describe Catastrophic Injuries
Prosecutors have characterized the boy’s injuries as catastrophic. Court papers and medical reports describe a blown right pupil, a fractured pelvis, liver lacerations and extensive brain damage. Maliek was kept on life support for several days before he died on Feb. 4, according to reporting by NBC New York. The outlet also reports that relatives in East Harlem alerted authorities after Dayvon Morrison returned another child and they noticed how dire Maliek’s condition was.
Alleged Timeline and Shelter Where Assault Occurred
Authorities say Maliek’s injuries occurred while he was staying with his father at the Manhattan View Hotel in Long Island City, a site that has been used as a homeless shelter, according to ABC7 New York. Prosecutors say Morrison told investigators he had been drinking, claimed he could not remember the assault, and did not seek immediate medical care before relatives ultimately called for help.
Charges and Court Dates
Court records show that 30-year-old Dayvon Morrison was first arrested on attempted murder and assault charges, and that prosecutors later upgraded the charges to murder and acting in a manner injurious to a child, according to the New York Daily News. The outlet reports that Morrison is scheduled to return to Queens Supreme Court on Feb. 27 as the district attorney’s office prepares enhanced charges.
Community Calls for Change
At the Harlem service, advocates and neighbors broadened the focus beyond one family’s tragedy, calling for stronger protections for children living in shelters and quicker responses from city agencies. W.A.R.M. CEO Stephanie McGraw told NBC New York that “silence hides violence,” urging community members to speak up at the first sign of danger. The Administration for Children’s Services said it is investigating the case alongside the NYPD, the outlet reported.
