MANCHESTER, NH – A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the murder of his 7-year-old son, a crime that the prosecution described as particularly brutal. Murtadah Mohammad, 27, received the sentence on charges of second-degree murder following his admission of guilt earlier this year.

On Jan. 17, officers arrived at a home on Eastern Avenue after reports emerged that a young boy had suffered severe burns to his face and body and was neither conscious nor breathing. The boy, later identified as Jaevion Riley, was declared dead at a nearby hospital. Medical experts described his injuries as extreme, noting evidence of torture and extensive physical abuse alongside blunt force trauma.

Jaevion’s mother, Rainah Riley, described the horrifying injuries her son suffered, noting that he had a tooth knocked out in addition to the burns. “This man was trying to kill my child,” she told authorities in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Initial reports indicated that Mohammad attempted to cover up the circumstances of his son’s injuries, falsely claiming a hot water spill was to blame. However, investigators found no evidence to support his story of having been in the shower when the alleged accident occurred.

In reality, Mohammad later confessed to physically abusing his son and failing to obtain medical treatment for his injuries, which led to the boy’s death. This admission came after thorough investigation by local police and the state’s Department of Justice.

Attorney General John M. Formella emphasized the gravity of Mohammad’s crimes and the decisive response of the justice system. In a statement, he commended the efforts of all involved in the investigation and legal proceedings, adding that while the sentence cannot bring Jaevion back, it does provide a measure of justice.

In addition to the murder sentence, Mohammad received an additional two-to-four year sentence for falsifying evidence, designed to be suspended for a decade conditional upon his release and subsequent behavior. This aspect of the sentence underscores the court’s intent to hold him accountable for every aspect of the crime.

The case brought shock and sorrow to the Manchester community as details of the young boy’s suffering emerged. As the legal chapter concludes, local authorities express hope that the verdict provides a semblance of closure to those affected by the tragedy, primarily Jaevion’s surviving family members.