Name: Mason Bentlee Bryan.
Died: June 24, 2016.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Abuse (Beaten, causing fatal head injury).
Location: Aiken, South Carolina, USA.
Details:
From Mason’s obituary:
For those lucky enough to know him, Mason was a sweetheart; full of life and an energy that could brighten anyone’s day. He was born with autism which made it difficult for him to communicate, however he figured out how to convey his thoughts and feelings and show how big his heart was. Mason enjoyed jumping off the furniture and learning new words on his tablet and Leap Frog. He loved to snuggle his Mickey Mouse and Mommy and watch Thomas the Train, The Lion King, and Cars. He especially loved playing Lion Guard with his little brother, Wyatt, and spending time at his grandparents’ house playing with his cousin Shadow.
Wyatt was beaten badly by his mother’s boyfriend, and his mother didn’t attempt to help him. He was taken to the hospital unconscious, but was soon declared brain-dead. His mother was charged with neglect, and her boyfriend was sentenced to 25 years for homicide by child abuse.
References:
Aiken man pleads guilty to abusing autistic child to death, gets 25 years
Couple charged in homicide of 4-year-old child
Mom and mom’s boyfriend formally charged in 4-year-old’s death
Mother, live-in boyfriend accused of killing 4-year-old in Aiken Co.
Mason Bentlee Bryan’s Obituary on The Aiken Standard