Nationwide — Bre’Yon Wells, a two-year-old African American boy from St. Louis, Missouri, was sexually assaulted and strangled to death by his babysitter, a man his mother trusted while she was at work, according to police.
On October 27, the boy’s mother, Bianca, left him under the care of 21-year-old Nicco Cotton, who was both her boyfriend and a close friend. When she returned, she learned her son had been taken to Cardinal Glennon Hospital, where doctors discovered severe internal injuries and evidence of sexual assault. Bre’Yon did not survive.
Police said Cotton later turned himself in and confessed to the crime, according to WLBT. Court documents stated he admitted to sexually assaulting and strangling the toddler. He was charged with second-degree murder, forcible sodomy, statutory sodomy, and child abuse resulting in death.
Wells described her son as “so happy” and “so loving,” saying he was full of life and joy. She said she trusted Cotton completely. “That’s the worst part. I felt like my baby was safe, he was OK, and looked after, and he wasn’t,” she said.
Doctors reported that Bre’Yon suffered a lacerated liver, multiple internal injuries, and signs of asphyxiation. His death was ruled a homicide caused by abuse.
Wells said she will not rest until Cotton is punished. “When I can look him in his eyes and know that he’s going to sit behind a cell for the rest of his life, I’ll breathe,” she said.
Despite her grief, Wells said she takes comfort in believing Bre’Yon is now with his late father. “I love you, Doodie,” she said. “I’m sorry.”