North Miami Beach Police officers were honored after officials say their quick actions helped save the life of a 6-year-old boy with autism who was allegedly beaten nearly to death by his mother’s boyfriend.
Newly released body camera video shows the terrifying moments officers arrived at the home and found the child, identified as Mason, unresponsive and not breathing in his mother’s arms.
“Is he OK? Is he breathing?” one officer is heard asking in the footage.
Officer Jonathan Hernandez, with the help of his partner Officer Woobens Noel, spent nearly 20 minutes performing life-saving measures to revive the boy, police said. Both officers were recognized for their heroic actions during a ceremony Tuesday night.
Mason is described by his family as a bubbly child who loves karaoke. His grandmother says his joyful spirit is now in jeopardy as he remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
Investigators said Mason suffered severe injuries after his mother’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Romero, allegedly beat him.
“You hurt my child, you hurt my grandson to the core,” said Elizabeth Garcia, Mason’s grandmother. “You beat on a 6-year-old autistic boy like he was nothing.”
Mason was rushed to the hospital on Jan. 9 after his mother returned home from the store and found him unresponsive, police said.
Doctors reported internal bleeding in the brain, lacerations to the liver and kidney, a broken arm, and bruises covering his entire body.
“You are scum,” said Nicole Raygoza, Mason’s godmother. “How dare you? You shouldn’t see the light of day.”
Romero remains in jail without bond, facing charges including aggravated child abuse, child neglect and providing false information to law enforcement. According to arrest records, Romero gave multiple conflicting stories about how Mason was injured.
Police said the boy’s mother is cooperating with the investigation and told officers Romero would become frustrated with Mason because of his neurodevelopmental condition. Records also show Romero has two prior convictions for domestic violence.
“He shouldn’t see the light of day,” a family member said. “Thirty minutes with no heartbeat is attempted murder.”
The family said they are holding on to hope for Mason’s full recovery while continuing their fight for justice.
