On April 11, 2022 Van Erick Custodio, 42, was charged with murdering his 6 week old son in Gastonia, NC. The baby went into cardiac arrest after being beaten. Mr. Custodio was a college professor at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Detectives determined that the infant went into cardiac arrest after being abused by his adopted father.
On April 1, 2022 at 10 a.m., police were called to a home regarding the 6-week-old baby that had gone into cardiac arrest. The baby was transported to a local hospital with life threatening conditions. Mr. Custodio was arrested and charged with felony assault on a child.
The baby died on April 13, 2022.
Arrest warrants say the baby’s cardiac arrest came from Mr. Custodio physically abusing him. Mr. Custodio was the baby’s adopted father and he had full custody. Upon the baby’s death, Mr. Custodio was arrested again and charged with murder.
UNCC has placed Mr. Custodio on administrative leave.
