The New Rochelle Police Department announced today the arrest of Richard D. Leak, 30, for the murder of Khalil Leak, his two year old son which occurred early Sunday Morning January 9 at 345 Main Street. The child was transported to Sound Shore Medical Center with a head injury and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival there.
Richard “Ricky” Leak (DOB: 10/03/1980) has been charged by the Westchester District Attorney with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A” Felony. The charging documents state Leak killed is two-year old son Khalil Leak (DOB: 12/11/2008) at 345 Main Street, apartment number 4E, located in the City of New Rochelle and took place at about January 9, 2011 at approximately 1:00 a.m.
Captain Joseph Schaller held a press conference this morning at 11:30 AM to announce the arrest and answer questions. Schaller disclosed that Leak had a prior history of criminal offenses including possession of a control substance, burglary, assault (on an adult). The cause of death, the police believe, was Leak slamming the victim into a hard surface.
The Westchester County DA issued a timeline of events.
At approximately 1 am on January 9th, 2011, the defendant called his live in girlfriend who was not at home and reported that the victim was not breathing. The girlfriend then called a downstairs neighbor and asked her to check on the victim. The neighbor went upstairs and after finding the victim unresponsive in the defendant’s apartment, dialed 911 calling for an ambulance.
The two year old child was removed by Transcare Ambulance EMT’s to Sound Shore Medical Center where he was pronounced dead about one hour later.
Police initiated an investigation into the death and on January 12th, 2011 the defendant was arrested.
Extensive case and forensic pathology work by the New Rochelle Police Department and the Westchester County Medical Examiner were instrumental in charging the defendant.
The defendant was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.
His next court appearance is scheduled for January 20th, 2011.
The defendant faces a maximum of twenty five years to life in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Heide Mason, Acting Bureau Chief of the Child/Elder Abuse Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Christine Hatfield of the Child Elder Abuse
Why was child let back with them
this father should have never gotten the child back.According to reports the child was taken away from the parents 15 months ago and given back in late 2010. Why was the child taken away in the first place??? What department was to look after this child?? Heads should roll on this matter’