Bergen County Dad Pleads Not Guilty To Beating Baby To Death, Report Says

A Fort Lee man accused of fatally injuring his 5-month-old son by punching and shaking him pleaded not guilty in court Monday.

Choi, 38, was charged with aggravated manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child last week.

Choi did not speak while in court and his attorney, Anthony J. Iacullo, entered a plea of not guilty on Choi’s behalf, NJ.com reported. Iacullo said Choi was “grief-stricken” over his son’s death.

Choi’s family did not attend the hearing because they were making burial arrangements, Iacullo told the website.

Choi allegedly shook and punched his sonthroughout a two-month period, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said when Choi was arrested last month. Choi was arrested after he brought the baby to Bellevue Hospital in New York. The baby had a severe head injury and a rib injury that was healing, Molinelli said.

The child, who had been in critical condition for days, died last week after he was taken off life support.

Choi was initially charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The baby’s death prompted prosecutors to upgrade the charges to include aggravated manslaughter and an additional count each of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Molinelli said.

Choi remains held in Bergen County Jail on $1 million bail, NJ.com reported.

A grand jury will be presented with the case, the report states.