A 6-year-old boy with autism has died from his injuries weeks after police say he was brutally beaten by his mother’s on-again, off-again boyfriend in North Miami Beach, Florida, leaving the community grieving and calling for justice in a case that has highlighted failures in child protection.

The child, identified as Mason by family and media reports, was rushed to Jackson North Medical Center on January 9, 2026, in critical condition after police responded to a home where he was found unresponsive and not breathing. Doctors diagnosed him with a brain bleed, lacerations to his liver and kidney, a broken arm, bruises covering his body, and internal injuries consistent with severe physical abuse. He was placed in a medically induced coma and remained hospitalized until his death on February 27, 2026, when he was taken off life support, according to his grandmother’s Instagram post and statements to NBC 6 South Florida.

North Miami Beach police arrested Daniel Eduardo Romero, 34, on January 11, 2026, charging him with aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm involving torture, child neglect causing great bodily harm, and tampering with a victim/witness. Romero is not Mason’s biological father. The boy’s mother, Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, 32, was arrested on January 24, 2026, after turning herself in, facing charges of child neglect, failure to report child abuse, and providing false information to law enforcement. Both remain in custody at Miami-Dade Corrections, with possible additional homicide charges pending the outcome of the investigation and autopsy.

Body camera footage released by police shows officers performing CPR on Mason, who was wrapped in a blanket with no detectable pulse. The responding officer noted the child was “pulseless” and not breathing upon arrival. The arrest affidavit details severe injuries consistent with prolonged physical abuse, including the brain bleed and organ damage that ultimately proved fatal.

Mason’s grandmother, Elizabeth Garcia, confirmed his death to NBC 6, stating he had been removed from the ventilator and passed away peacefully surrounded by family. The family has expressed profound grief, describing Mason as a loving, non-verbal child who brought joy despite his challenges. Friends and community members have shared memories of his bright spirit and the pain of losing him to alleged abuse.

The case has drawn widespread attention for the severity of the injuries and the fact that Romero had prior criminal history. Court records show Romero had previous arrests, though specifics were not detailed in initial reports. Critics have pointed to the need for stronger intervention in child welfare cases involving domestic partners, especially when vulnerable children like those with autism are involved.

North Miami Beach police have not released additional details on the motive or exact circumstances of the alleged beating, but the investigation remains active. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is also involved, as is standard in child fatality cases involving alleged abuse.

Community outrage has grown since Mason’s death was announced. Local advocacy groups for children with disabilities and child protection organizations have called for a thorough review of how the case was handled prior to the January 9 incident. Online memorials and fundraisers have appeared to support the family, with messages emphasizing the need for better safeguards for non-verbal children who cannot easily report abuse.

The tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about child abuse in Florida, where cases involving partners of parents sometimes fall through cracks in reporting or intervention. Autism advocates have noted that non-verbal children are particularly vulnerable, as they may be unable to communicate distress or injuries clearly.

As the family prepares to lay Mason to rest, the community mourns a young life lost too soon and demands accountability. Police continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, while prosecutors weigh whether to upgrade charges against Romero and Hernandez in light of the child’s death.

The loss of Mason has left a lasting impact, reminding all of the importance of vigilance, reporting, and protection for the most vulnerable among us.