The family of Jathan Escobar, a 6-year-old boy who died after a brutal attack in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is calling for justice as they continue to grapple with his tragic death. Jathan succumbed to his injuries after being taken off life support on October 2, one week after he and his family were violently assaulted with a baseball bat. The alleged assailant, Abdulrahim Sulaiman, now faces upgraded charges of murder with special circumstances.
Family members, dressed in matching sweaters bearing Jathan’s image, gathered outside a Bridgeport courthouse on Thursday morning. They were there for Sulaiman’s court appearance, hoping to witness some step toward justice for the boy they describe as joyful and full of life. “It doesn’t seem real, it’s like a horrible dream we are waiting to wake up from,” said Kaylynn Tejera, Jathan’s cousin, speaking about the devastating loss.
The attack, which occurred on September 25, left not only Jathan but also his 4-year-old brother and their mother severely injured. Police say Sulaiman, 38, used a baseball bat to bludgeon the family during the assault. Jathan’s brother survived, but the emotional toll on the family has been immense. “It’s just hard, it’s really hard, and he just has a young brother that is now on his own,” Tejera added, referring to the younger boy who now faces a life without his older sibling.
Prosecutors have revealed that Sulaiman has a history of violent offenses, including assault, raising painful questions for Jathan’s grieving family. They say they were aware of Sulaiman’s abusive behavior but are left wondering why he was not given the resources or intervention he needed earlier. “Obviously, they didn’t get the help this man needs, so my nephew is no longer with us,” said Lisa Escobar, Jathan’s aunt, expressing both sorrow and frustration over the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Sulaiman appeared before a judge wearing a safety veil over his head—a measure taken after he allegedly assaulted a court marshal while in custody. Despite the grief and anger, Jathan’s family insists they do not harbor hate toward the man accused of killing their child. “I don’t have hate towards him, but it’s disgusting what he did, and I do hope and pray he pays for what he did to my nephew,” Lisa Escobar said.
For now, the family clings to the memory of Jathan, a child they describe as happy and full of light, even as they struggle to comprehend the senseless violence that claimed his life. “It shouldn’t have ever happened to begin with,” Tejera said, capturing the anguish of a family left devastated by an unimaginable loss.
Sulaiman is scheduled to return to court on October 23, where the family hopes to take another step toward justice in Jathan’s name.
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