(New Castle DE 19720) Last Monday, at approximately 7:50 p.m., patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the unit block 550 S. DuPont Highway in the community of Castlebrook Apartments, New Castle for a report of an unresponsive 3-year-old male.
When the units arrived at the apartment complex, they were met by New Castle County Paramedics who reported that the child was unresponsive and had unstable vital signs. The child was then flown by helicopter to an area hospital for treatment.
The officers learned that the child was in the care of 22-year-old Taha Hassan El-Abbadi.
Detectives from the New Castle County Criminal Investigations Unit arrived at the scene and assumed the investigation. The detectives’ investigation revealed that there was sufficient evidence to charge El-Abbadi with Child Abuse 1st degree.
El-Abbadi was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held at Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu of $60,000 cash-only bail.
Yesterday, (Aug 22) detectives received notification from the hospital, where the child had been admitted, that the child had died.
Detectives subsequently charged El-Abbadi with Murder by Abuse or Neglect in the First Degree. At the time of this news release, he is awaiting arraignment on this new charge.
The New Castle County Division of Police would like our community to know that if you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302)395-8000.
Taha Hassan El-Abbadi
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