Grand Prairie stepdad charged in 3-year-old boy’s physical assault death

A three-year-old boy has died following injuries from a suspected physical assault by his stepfather, according to Grand Prairie police.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 11. Around 8:30 a.m., officers were called to Arlington Memorial Hospital after medical staff reported that a child had been brought to the emergency room by family members with injuries consistent with an assault.

Due to the severity of his injuries, the boy was airlifted to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries four days later, on Wednesday, May 15.

The Grand Prairie Police Department stated in a news release that detectives, during their preliminary investigation, determined the child had been physically assaulted at his home in the 1000 block of N. Highway 360 before being taken to the hospital.

On the same day the child was hospitalized, 21-year-old Solnifasint Nelson was arrested for injury to a child causing serious bodily injury or death, a first-degree felony.

Nelson, identified as the boy’s stepfather, may face upgraded charges pending further medical examinations.