STATEN ISLAND, NY – The unsettling death of a one-month-old boy in Staten Island has been officially labeled a homicide by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, prompting a deeper investigation into the tragic circumstances.

The infant, identified as Joseph Heben Jr., was transported to Staten Island University Hospital on July 20 due to critical malnutrition. Upon his arrival, hospital staff, who found him unresponsive and unconscious, immediately notified authorities around 7 a.m., as confirmed by the NYPD.

New York’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) quickly partnered with law enforcement after the case came to their attention, said Stephanie Gendell, an ACS spokeswoman. Their cooperative investigation seeks to uncover how Joseph came to suffer such a fatal condition.

Thus far, investigators have not disclosed any direct involvement by Joseph’s family members in his death. The ACS, bound by state confidentiality laws, has not revealed whether the family has any interactions on record with child services.

The tragic news has shaken the local community in Tottenville. A nearby worker described the heartbreak over the infant’s death and noted the apparent discrepancy, as Joseph’s older sister seemed well cared for and often seen smiling.

A deli employee living beneath the family’s apartment, Tham Kshetry, expressed dismay over the events that occurred within what he believes to be a generally secure neighborhood. His sentiments echoed the shock of many local residents.

Enrique Vargas, a local barber and father of three, also voiced his distress. He emphasized how deeply the incident resonated with him as a parent, pointing to the broader impact felt throughout the tight-knit community.

The NYPD maintains that their investigation into the heart-breaking circumstances leading to Joseph Heben Jr.’s death is ongoing as officials continue to search for definitive answers in this case.