David Creato Jr: Father kills three-year-old son because girlfriend 'didn't like children'
Child's body was discovered in woodland in 2015
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of his three-year-old son, who he says was in the way of a relationship with his girlfriend.
David Creato Jr, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and admitted he had “recklessly caused his son’s death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by depriving Brendan of oxygen”.
Prosecutors said Creato killed his son, Brendan, because his 17-year-old girlfriend did not want to be around his child and wanted him to give up custody. The girlfriend was never charged.
In October 2015, Mr Creato called 911 stating his son had wandered away from his home in Haddon Township in Camden County.
The child’s body was discovered later that day in an area of woodland around a mile from his home.
A medical examiner stated the boy died from “homicidal violence” but was not able to determine the exact cause or time of death.
A murder trial ended in a mistrial in May, but prosecutors said the victim’s socks were clean - which undermined Mr Creato’s claims the boy walked away from home.
Mr Creato’s guilty plea comes just weeks before he was due to stand trial on murder charges.
He will be sentenced on 29 September and prosecutors will recommend he serves a 10-year prison sentence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments