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Philadelphia boy who was used by his father as a ‘human shield’ in drug trafficking died at 3 years old

A child in Philadelphia was shot multiple times three years ago after the father allegedly led him to a drug deal as a “human shield” has died.

Yaseem Jenkins, 11 months old at the time of the 2019 shooting, died Tuesday, the boy’s family said on a GoFundMe page. The Philadelphia District Attorney also confirmed the 3-year-old’s death.

“We are awaiting the medical examiner’s report on the cause of death, but we have reason to believe that the cause of death was his primary wound from that shooting,” Larry Krasner said at one news conference.

“I would like to offer my deepest condolences on Yaseem’s loss to his family. This is a difficult time,” he said.

Investigators said Yaseem was in a car with his father, Nafes Monroe, and Monroe’s girlfriend at the time of the October 19, 2019 shooting, they allege, that Monroe took her son to a meeting. drug dealers in the city because he was using counterfeit money and believed that the baby’s presence would prevent any possible violence.

During the exchange, another man, Francisco Ortiz, opened fire. He was charged with attempted murder.

The baby was shot in the head, torso and back of the body. The district attorney’s office said in 2019 that Monroe knew using counterfeit money would anger the drug dealer and use the child as something they characterized as a “human shield.”

“It is our belief and our investigation has led us to believe that he intentionally brought his child with him when he made such purchases with the idea or belief that if someone saw he has a kid in the car, they’re not going to shoot him,” an official with the Assistant District Attorney’s Murder Unit of Philadelphia said during a 2019 news conference.

Monroe was charged with recklessly endangering another person and endangering the interests of a child. He pleaded guilty to both charges. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

Krasner said at the press conference that if it is determined that Yaseem died of injuries related to the shooting, additional charges could be placed in the case.

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