Share this @internewscast.com

A Pennsylvania toddler who was shot three years ago while his father used him as a “human shield” during a drug deal has died, prompting an investigation into whether his death was a direct result of injuries from the shooting, KYW-TV reports.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced on Tuesday that 3-year-old Yaseem Jenkins died.

In 2019, when Jenkins was just 11 months old, he was shot in the head, neck and buttocks while his father, Nafes Monroe, was allegedly attempting to buy drugs in Philadelphia.

Monroe was using counterfeit money and reportedly believed that if he brought the child to the transaction, he would not be attacked.

“Our investigation has led us to believe that he intentionally had his child with him when he was making such types of purchases with the idea or belief that if someone saw that he had a child in the car, that they would not fire upon him,” Anthony Voci, head of the district attorney’s homicide unit, told The Philadelphia Inquirer at the time.

“A human shield is probably the term that I would use,” Voci added, according to the newspaper.

The exchange went bad and 29-year-old Francisco Ortiz began shooting at Monroe’s vehicle. Bullets struck Jenkins, who was in the back seat.

If Jenkins’ death is ruled a homicide as a direct result of his injuries from 2019, Ortiz is likely to be charged as such, according to Krasner.

“We are awaiting a medical examiner’s report on the cause of death but we have reason to believe the cause of death is his original injury from that shooting,” Krasner told reporters at a news conference Friday, KYW-TV reports.

Prosecutors charged Monroe with recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child.

Hours after Jenkins was shot, the same gun used to shoot him was used in another shooting that killed 2-year-old Nikolette Rivera, who was struck in the back of the head when gunmen opened fire on a North Philadelphia home, according to the television station.

Investigators believe that Ortiz had given Rivera’s killers the gun he used to shoot Jenkins.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Yazeem Jenkins/WPVI video screengrab]

Source: This post first appeared on

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ellen Greenberg: Coroner Confirms Suicide Verdict for Teacher Found with 20 Stab Injuries

The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded its review of the 2011…

Woman Allegedly Gave Ex-Boyfriend a Fetus in a Cooler, Police Report

Inset: Makayla Annette Haedt (Watonwan County Jail). Background: The Pulaski County Courthouse…

Police Report: Boyfriend Accidentally Shoots 19-Year-Old While Handling Gun

Background: News footage of the home in Lawrenceville, Ga., where Nina Ramirez…

North Carolina School Employee Accused of Poisoning Her Ex-Husband

A 43-year-old school occupational therapist has been charged with attempted murder for…

Man Reportedly Calls Emergency Services Crying After Ex-Partner’s Death

A man who denies killing his former partner during a violent argument…

Man on Pre-Trial Release Arrested for Holding Woman Against Her Will in Hotel Room Despite Police Attempts to Access

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This morning, 50-year-old Ashley Galen Powers was…

Sister of Bryan Kohberger Listed as Witness for Prosecution

Newly unsealed documents reveal that Bryan Kohberger’s sister was on the prosecution’s…

Elderly Veteran Tragically Discovered in Freezer at Assisted Living Center

An investigation is underway in Florida after an elderly man was reportedly…

Attorney General Reports Nurse’s Fatal Use of Bed Lift on Patient

Inset: Diamond Johnson (Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office). Background: The Jefferson Manor…

Sex Offender Arrested for Possession of Large Drug Stash with Child in Home

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On October 7, 53-year-old Ronnie Leron Williams,…

Intoxicated motorist who hit mother and daughter receives sentencing

Inset: Laticha Liz Bracero, left, and Alyssa Angel Cordova (Woodlawn Funeral Home).…

Georgia Man Accidentally Shoots Girlfriend in Head While Handling Gun

A 19-year-old Georgia woman is dead after her boyfriend shot her in…