Memphis man sentenced to life in prison for beating his 2-year-old son to death | News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Memphis man has been sentenced to life in prison for manslaughter, abuse and neglect of his 2-year-old son, court records show.

Antonio First was convicted of aggravated child abuse, alleged murder during aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect and alleged murder during aggravated child neglect in connection with the death of his two-year-old son, Brayton Brooks.

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First was arrested after his son was found unconscious and cold to the touch by paramedics on June 24, 2020. The child had visited his father for Father's Day.

The boy was pronounced dead at LeBonheur Hospital. An autopsy revealed that he had suffered numerous external and internal bruises, a laceration to his liver, and marks on his neck that suggested he had been strangled with a cord or rope.

First, he changed his story several times, claiming his son had choked on cookies, then blamed the boy's mother, the dogs and his ten-year-old son, before finally admitting to hitting his son several times with his fist and a sandal. The beating apparently began when the child knocked over a Wi-Fi box.