TROY, N.Y. -- Troy Police Captain John Cooney said, "Adrian Thomas of Troy was arrested and at the time charged with attempted murder for injuries we believe were sustained at the hands of Mr. Thomas to a 4-month-old."
Police said it happened at an apartment on 21st Street in Troy - a series of events leading to the death of 4-month-old Matthew Thomas.
Cooney said, "The unfortunate news here is the 4-month-old child has passed away, was pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center this morning, Wednesday."
The child's father, Adrian Thomas, 26, is now facing a murder charge, admitting in a ten-page statement that he repeatedly injured the child, he said, last Saturday.
In a statement, Thomas wrote, "When I laid back my head struck [Matthew's] head...Matthew was still crying and it really got to me. I stood up from the bed and I picked Matthew up from the bed and I threw Matthew on the bed real hard. He started crying even harder...and having difficulty breathing...I never meant to hurt him. I am willing to go to counseling so I don't hurt anyone else. I never intentionally meant to hurt my kid. I love my kids."
He wrote that he was depressed and that he had done it before - on Wednesday and Thursday of the week before and 15 or 20 days before that.
Thomas continued, "Thursday I was arguing with my wife all day again...I walked into the bedroom and slammed Matthew down onto my bed. I slammed him down pretty hard. If Matthew wasn't in my arms I probably would have punched a hole in the wall."
And police said this wasn't the first time they had to be called to the home. Just a couple months ago, a 4-year-old - one of the seven children at the time the family was taking care of in their two-bedroom apartment - snuck away and actually crossed Hoosick Street at 6 p.m., a busy street at a very busy time.
Cooney said, "Our examination of CPS involvement in this case shows us at this point in time, they've been appropriate and seeing what happens in the household. The problem is, too often we find after the fact that neighbors, people in the family even were aware of the issues, but at times thought it wasn't enough to call into CPS."
Child Protective Services can't comment on the case, but the six other children are now in their care.
Cooney said, "We now hopefully will find a little peace for Matthew but will also possibly ensure the safety of the other children in the household - six more who at one time or other would be in the care of the defendant."
So far, police aren't ruling out charges against the mother. A grand jury could convene as early as Thursday. Adrian Thomas could get 25 years to life if convicted.
