Philadelphia, Pa. — A 23-year-old man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the tragic case of a 2-year-old boy who died under suspicious circumstances in Reading earlier this year. Charles Acosta was convicted by a jury following a three-day trial in Berks County Court, with sentencing scheduled for June.
The case centers on the death of Emiliano Velazquez, who was allegedly injured while in Acosta’s care. On May 5, 2023, Emiliano was brought to Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center with severe, life-threatening injuries. Due to the critical state of his health, he was subsequently transported to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for specialized care.
Upon arrival at Hershey, medical staff initiated resuscitation efforts, as the child was unresponsive. Doctors diagnosed him with several serious conditions, including septic shock, gastric perforations, and significant internal injuries. Despite surgical intervention, Emiliano’s condition worsened, leading to his death later that afternoon.
An autopsy confirmed that Emiliano’s death was the result of multiple traumatic injuries, officially labeling it a homicide. Acosta, who was in a relationship with the boy’s mother and lived with them, had been babysitting Emiliano when the incident occurred.
The investigation began with interviews of Acosta, where he stated that Emiliano’s mother had left their residence around 9 p.m. on May 4 to retrieve laundry from a relative’s home. He claimed that earlier that evening, Emiliano had been complaining of stomach pain but was otherwise behaving normally.
Hours later, Acosta contacted the child’s mother, insisting she return home immediately because Emiliano required medical attention. When she arrived around 1 a.m. on May 5, she was alarmed at the drastic deterioration in her son’s condition, noticing swelling throughout his body.
After placing him in the car, the boy’s mother called 911 for assistance. Following dispatcher instructions, they proceeded to St. Joseph Medical Center, where Emiliano was admitted. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities later interviewed Acosta again in June. During both interviews, he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of how Emiliano sustained such grievous injuries while under his supervision. Investigators concluded that the nature of the injuries suggested they could only have been inflicted by an adult.
In July, Acosta was apprehended by a task force comprising U.S. Marshals, county detectives, and local police in Philadelphia. The ongoing investigation has drawn significant attention amid increasing concerns regarding child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers. The upcoming sentencing will determine the extent of Acosta’s punishment for this tragic crime.