Miami

Baby Dies After Allegedly Being Beaten by Mother's Boyfriend

A baby who suffered severe brain injuries after allegedly being beaten by his mother's boyfriend has died, according to a family representative.

"Baby Andres is now a beautiful angel in heaven. Thank you for all your prayers and support," said a post on the Facebook page titled "Justice for Baby Andres."

Prosecutors had said in court Friday that five-month-old Andres Bravo was not expected to survive as the charges against Antwan Sawyer, 27, were increased to attempted felony murder. Sawyer was originally arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse. It is now expected that those charges will again be increased.

Miami Police said Sawyer was caring for the baby when the child suffered severe brain injuries, a lung contusion, and retinal bleeding to both eyes. Sawyer was not the father of the child, but was the boyfriend of the child’s mother, Sascha Garcia.

“The injuries are a lot more serious than they initially thought,” prosecutors said in court Friday. “The child is expected to pass tomorrow which means that this defendant will be charged with homicide. He is a flight risk.”

Sawyer’s defense team tried to get the most serious charge dropped Friday, but the bond court judge said there was probable cause on the attempted murder charge and ordered the Miami man held with no bond.

Andres’ father, Adolfo Bravo, told NBC 6 Thursday that he was trying to hold onto hope, but was also realistic about the likely outcome.

“I have faith,” Adolfo said. “But medically speaking, from the many doctors I’ve spoken to, no matter how much faith I have, it’s not going to happen.”

The infant had been on life support at Miami Children's Hospital this week. The baby had been brain dead since Tuesday, a family representative said.

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