Man charged in beating of girlfriend’s son, who later died

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (AP) - A western Pennsylvania man has been charged with beating his girlfriend’s young son, who later died from his injuries.

Tyler Scott Mason, 25, of Burgettstown, was alone with 3-year-old Aiden Lombardi in the girlfriend’s apartment in Coraopolis when the child became unresponsive Tuesday night, Allegheny County authorities said. The boy was taken to a hospital but died the following night.

The child’s mother had left him with Mason while she drove a friend home. Mason soon called his girlfriend and told her the boy had stopped breathing. She told Mason to call 911, but because he was so distraught, she called herself.

Emergency responders noticed bruising and swelling on the child’s forehead, eye, jaw and ear. Doctors later determined he had a fractured skull and other head trauma.

Mason told police that Aiden became “fussy” while they were alone, so he gave the child water and chocolate milk. Mason said he then moved across the room to message his sister when he “noticed blood and a chewed French fry” near the boy’s mouth,

Mason faces two counts of aggravated assault and a child endangerment charge, and more charges may be filed following the child’s death.

It wasn’t known Thursday if Mason has retained an attorney.