A three-year-old child who was allegedly beaten so severely by his parents that he was left on life support has died at a Syracuse hospital, and authorities in Seneca Falls have upgraded assault charges filed against his parents to murder.
Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsch says a grand jury delivered a 12-count indictment today, starting with three charges of second-degree murder. Charges also include manslaughter, reckless assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Papers filed in court say Alison and Donald Bovio both beat toddler Peter Stephanides Vaccino with a belt, causing him to fall and strike his head on the floor.
His stepfather, Donald Bovio, claimed the child had fallen down a flight of stairs. But Chief Stuart Peenstra says doctors at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse found otherwise. He says they’ll be able to prove the child was a victim of long-term beatings and abuse from the pattern of injuries he suffered.
Police say the boy’s father was with him in Syracuse when he died.