Father of Beaten Baby Facing Murder Charges

A North Miami man accused of beating his infant son is now facing first-degree murder charges after the child passed away, according to Miami-Dade jail records.

Yosi Mahlab, 30, went before a judge Friday for a brief hearing to face the murder charge in the death of his 4-month-old son, who police say was beaten on Jan. 21.

The child had been on life support and was removed Thursday, Mahlab's attorney, Stephen Harper, said.

"He is very sad, very upset that this has happened," Harper said of his client. "He is very, very sad."

Jail officials said the murder charge was added shortly after the child died Thursday.

Authorities arrested Mahlab last week on aggravated child abuse charges after police say he called 911 to report the young child unconscious, according to an arrest affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Mahlab waited 30 minutes before he called 911, "which resulted in the victim's injuries becoming more severe."

Mahlab admitted to police that he hit the baby twice in the face, and that the baby then slipped off his lap and hit his head on a nightstand, the affidavit said.

X-ray results at Jackson Memorial Hospital revealed that the baby sustained a skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, subdural bleeding and retinal hemorrhaging, according to the report.

According to the report, Mahlab waited until Jan. 26 to tell police how the baby was injured.

Last week, Mahlab was charged with attempted first-degree murder. During a court appearance for that charge, he said: "I did not beat my child. I smacked my child and he fell."

Mahlab was being held without bond.

Harper said an autopsy hasn't been performed yet.

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