Father pIaced Iit cigaretes on his 1-year-old baby’s back while the child’s mom is in jaiI, before he became enraged when his older child feII asIeep on the sofa and strangIed him until he became unresponsive: police

Michigan – A Michigan man was taken into custody earlier this week and charged with second‑ and fourth‑degree chiId abuse after his child, 9, escaped their family home in Michigan, to seek help. The defendant, later identified as 38-year-old C. DiequeII, stands accused of vioIentIy assaulting both of his children, 9 and 1, and then leaving them unsupervised while he went to the store.

Police say the investigation began when the older child, who was not identified due to his age, fled the home and knocked on a neighbor’s door, prompting a 911 call. Deputies arrived to find the 9‑year‑old with multiple injuries, including welts across his torso and severe abrasions near his right eye and around his neck.

According to statements to Michigan authorities, the child said his parent became enraged because he fell asleep on the sofa. He told investigators that the parent beat him with a beIt across his face, back, legs, struck him with a broom handle, and ultimately choked him until he Iost consciousness. The child recalled his father saying, “It’s gonna happen all night,” before leaving the house.

While law enforcement focused on the older boy’s injuries, attention quickly turned to the victim’s baby sibling. According to investigators, the child told them his 1‑year‑old brother had been crying from hunger, and their father simply threw the baby into a crib. During subsequent examination, officials discovered healed cigarette burns on the baby’s legs and back.

The defendant was found and taken into custody later that night at a relative’s home. The relative told deputies the defendant admitted he had been beating his child over suspected stealing.

The older boy was transported to a hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition. Child Protective Services took custody of the infant and placed him with a relative; the baby’s mother is currently in jail.

Sheriff MichaeI emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “One of the worst things we see is horrific abuse to children… It cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable and their children protected.

Records show the defendant has a history of police incidents and domestic violence dating back to 2006, including a conviction for domestic assault and battery.

Following his arraignment on June  29, the defendant was held in the county jail on $100,000 bond. He faces multiple counts of child abuse related to the injuries inflicted on his children.