NYPD: The death of a month-old baby is considered a homicide on Staten Island’s south shore

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The July death of one-month-old Joseph Heben Jr. of Tottenville has been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.

An autopsy revealed the baby was extremely malnourished and dehydrated, leading to the conclusion that his death was a homicide, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

Police were called to Staten Island University Hospital in Prince’s Bay around 7 a.m. July 20, where hospital staff told officers that Heben was unconscious and unresponsive when he was transported to the medical facility by private transportation, according to reports a statement from the NYPD’s deputy commissioner shows public information.