A 1-year-old girl has died following a horrific assault allegedly carried out by her mother’s boyfriend, who is accused of striking the infant so forcefully that doctors were forced to remove part of her skull in an attempt to save her life.

Little Imani Mitchell was rushed to Harlem Hospital on August 28 in critical condition after 19-year-old Jerome Thomas, who was babysitting her, allegedly struck her twice on the side of the head with what authorities described as a “heavy hand.”

According to a criminal complaint, the infant suffered extensive subdural hemorrhaging, severe brain swelling, and intracranial pressure that led to brain herniation. She underwent emergency surgery, including a partial craniectomy, but ultimately could not be saved.

Imani was placed on life support but died on Friday, September 5, one week after the assault. The NYPD has ruled her death a homicide.

Legal Fallout and Pending Charges

Thomas was arrested the day after the assault and initially charged with felony assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Following Imani’s death, prosecutors confirmed that charges are expected to be upgraded, pending a grand jury indictment.

He is currently being held without bail at Rikers Island and is scheduled to appear in court again on September 18.

Violence in the Home: Troubling Signs Before the Tragedy

The fatal incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in an apartment on Union Avenue near East 152nd Street in the Woodstock section of the Bronx, after Imani’s mother reportedly left her in Thomas’s care.

Neighbors say warning signs were visible early on.

Nicole LaCroix, a neighbor, recalled that the family was new to the building but that she had briefly spent time with them.

“I held the baby… she was playing with my phone — an active one-year-old,” LaCroix said. “They fought every night since they moved in. You could hear them screaming through the walls — ‘Fk you, bch!’… ‘Get the f**k out.’”

LaCroix said she regrets not stepping in: “Several times, she threw his clothes out, but they’d be back together the same day. I wish I had done more.”

A Systemic Failure?

Imani’s tragic death has once again raised serious questions about domestic violence, child welfare, and the systems meant to protect vulnerable children. Despite audible signs of ongoing domestic strife, no known interventions were made prior to the fatal incident.

As the investigation continues and the community mourns the loss of a child whose life was cut short by senseless violence, advocates are urging a broader conversation about accountability — not just for the accused, but for a system that too often reacts after it’s too late.