A tragic incident in Missouri claimed the life of a 2-year-old boy on Monday, who authorities say was both strangled and sexually assaulted.

Nicco Cotton, aged 21, surrendered himself to authorities on Thursday, following the hospitalization of young Bre’Yon Wells in St. Louis. The child suffered from asphyxial and abdominal trauma, with injuries aligning with sexual assault. According to KSDK, Cotton admitted to the heinous acts of biting, assaulting, and strangling Wells, leading to his untimely death.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed the cause of death as strangulation and sexual assault, categorizing the case as a homicide, as reported by KTVI.

St. Louis Metro police revealed that Cotton was either a close friend or boyfriend of Wells’ mother, according to KMOV. Wells had been in Cotton’s care during this period.

The boy’s mother recounted to the media that she entrusted her son to someone she believed was reliable while she worked a demanding 10-hour shift. It was only after her shift that she was confronted with her son’s severe injuries.

“I feel like my baby was placed in situations he should never have faced because his mom lacked sufficient support and had no one to turn to,” the grieving mother expressed.

Cotton is charged with second-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy, and statutory sodomy. He remains jailed without bond.

[Feature Photo: KMOV]