A 6-year-old boy with autism who police said was severely abused by his mother’s boyfriend in North Miami Beach has died after spending weeks in the hospital, family members said.

The boy, Mason, had been hospitalized in critical condition last month, but his grandmother told NBC6 on Friday that he’d been taken off a ventilator and passed away.

Police had responded to a home in the 1400 block of Northeast 179th Street for a report of a child in cardiac arrest.

In body camera footage released by police, Mason was seen wrapped in a blanket and had no detectable pulse.

Mason was given CPR until Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews arrived and regained a pulse, and he was taken to Jackson North Hospital in critical condition.

Doctors reported internal bleeding in the brain, lacerations to the liver and kidney, a broken arm, and bruises covering his entire body.

His mother’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero, was accused of severely abusing the boy, and was later arrested on charges including aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm involving torture, child neglect causing great bodily harm, and tampering with a victim.

According to an arrest report, Romero gave conflicting stories about how Mason was injured, first claiming he was teaching the boy how to ride a bicycle when he fell, then changing his story and claiming they were using a wagon.

Romero said the boy didn’t appear to be seriously injured and medical care was not sought but he woke up lethargic the next day and progressively weakened and when he became unresponsive they called 911, the report said.

Miami-Dade Corrections

Miami-Dade Corrections

The boy’s mother, 32-year-old Cynthia Hernandez, was later arrested on charges including child neglect, failure to report child neglect and providing a false statement to law enforcement, officials said.

Police had previously said Hernandez was cooperating with the investigation and told officers Romero would become frustrated with Mason because of his neurodevelopmental condition. Records also show Romero has two prior convictions for domestic violence.

In the arrest report, Hernandez told detectives that Romero had a short temper and anger problems.

Hernandez’s attorney criticized her arrest, saying she was also a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Romero.

Her mother also said Hernandez was a domestic violence victim.

Romero pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond while he awaits trial. It’s unknown whether he’ll face new charges following Mason’s death.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new gourmet popcorn shop has opened on Broad Street, bringing a Chicago-style twist to downtown Augusta.

Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts, located at 716 Broad Street next to the Miller Theater, opened late last year. Owner Sheila Jones moved to Augusta from Chicago, where she said gourmet popcorn has a strong following.

“I’m from Chicago where gourmet popcorn is kind of a big deal,” Jones said.

Specialty flavors made in house

The shop offers specialty flavors including caramel, strawberry drizzle, peppermint, Oreo, green apple, and peanut butter — all made in house. Jones said the experience starts before customers even reach the counter.

“The smell is part of the experience. Green apple, strawberry, strawberry drizzle with chocolate. We have a new peanut butter flavor I just did,” Jones said.

A business built for family

Jones said her move to Augusta and her decision to open the business were driven by her son, who is on the autism spectrum. She said she believed he would be more comfortable in Augusta and wanted to build something that would benefit him long-term.

“I wanted him to have something when he gets older. He has a job already if he wants one. He already has a business,” Jones said.

Jones said starting the business has been harder than she expected. She handles most operations herself, with some help from family. She said the purpose behind the shop keeps her motivated.

“Coming into this every day is fulfilling because I built it. I’m building it and I just wanna see how high we’ll go,” Jones said.

Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop is also holding a pop-up Saturday at noon on Gordon Highway.

Here’s a link to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584084467886#

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