Dad charged with strangling, killing 8-year-old son in NYC

NEW YORK - A father has been charged with second-degree murder after his 8-year-old son was found dead inside the family's home, reports CBS New York.

Police were called to the Queens home around 10 p.m. Sunday night, responding to reports of an emotionally disturbed person inside the residence, according to the station. Officers discovered 41-year-old Boujeke Kenmoe with self-inflicted wounds to his wrists, authorities said.

CBS New York reports Kenmoe's 8-year-old son, Jerry, was found dead moments later. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said the boy was discovered in a bedroom with marks on his neck.

Kenmoe allegedly told EMS and police while he was being taken to the hospital that he had choked his son and then tried to take his own life, according to Brown.

"This is a horrifying case of a father accused of murdering his own son, a defenseless 8-year-old boy, by choking him to death," Brown said. "The defendant's actions, if true, are incomprehensible in a civilized society and must be severely punished."

The station reports it appeared as though the boy had been strangled earlier in the day. Police said the 8-year-old's mother was not home at the time.

A neighbor told CBS New York she heard a scream coming from the home.

"I heard one scream and then I didn't hear anymore," Eleanor Blaha said. "It was like a child scream - a loud noise I hadn't heard before."

Other neighbors told the station they were stunned because Kenmoe appeared to have a great relationship with Jerry, who family friends said had completed third grade last week.

"I saw them every morning. I envied the guy," neighbor James Lana told CBS New York. "I said 'what a loving father.'"

The investigation is ongoing. The station reports Kenmoe was hospitalized in stable condition and is currently awaiting arraignment. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.