‘Autistic’ uncle faces charges for chucking baby girl down trash chute of NYC building: cops

An incident in Staten Island has shocked the community, as a man allegedly threw his 1-year-old niece down a trash chute in a deranged act. Aaron Henderson, 39, has been charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child for this disturbing incident that took place in the family’s building on Steuben Street near Weser Avenue in Park Hill.

The father of the child was in the bathroom at the time of the incident, and when he emerged, he was informed by his brother that the toddler had been dropped down the chute. The parents rushed to the first floor, where they could hear their daughter crying in the chute. With quick thinking, they were able to break open the door and rescue their daughter, who thankfully only sustained minor scratches on her head, face, and body.

The child was taken to Richmond University Medical Center for evaluation, while the uncle, described by the family as autistic, was hospitalized for a psychological evaluation. The child’s father expressed shock at his brother’s actions, stating that he had never seen him behave in such a manner before. The NYPD confirmed that they had no prior encounters with Henderson, either through arrests or incidents involving emotionally disturbed individuals.

Henderson is set to be arraigned in Richmond County Criminal Court. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support and resources for individuals and families dealing with such challenges. It is a relief that the child was rescued unharmed and that swift action was taken to ensure her safety.