Home / Crime and Justice / Man Charged With Murder in Boy's Death After 2012 Attack
Man Charged With Murder in Boy's Death After 2012 Attack
23 Jun
Summary
- Man charged with murder nearly 14 years after child assault.
- Boy died from medical complications stemming from severe injuries.
- Assault occurred when child was two years old; suspect pleaded guilty.
Steven George Stuart, 35, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 7-year-old Jayden Carlson. The indictment comes nearly 14 years after Stuart assaulted the child when Jayden was just two years old. Stuart pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on June 18 in Worcester County Superior Court.
Prosecutors state that the attack in August 2012 left Jayden with severe, life-altering injuries. These injuries, including fractured ribs and a brain injury, ultimately led to medical complications that caused his death in December 2017. Jayden suffered from an inability to control his limbs and bodily functions following the assault.
In September 2015, Stuart, then a Fitchburg resident, pleaded guilty to assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injury. He was sentenced to six to eight years in prison. At the time of his prior plea, Stuart admitted to police that he attacked Jayden due to frustrations over personal issues and feeling unappreciated in a fatherly role.
Stuart is currently being held without bail and is scheduled for another court appearance on July 20. The case remains a developing story.
