A Philadelphia toddler whose father used him as a human shield during a 2019 shooting has died.
Prosecutors believe the child died due to injuries he sustained from being shot years ago. They are currently awaiting a medical examiner’s report on the cause of death.
When Yaseem Jenkins was 11 months old, his father, Nafes Monroe, used him as a human shield, during a drug deal gone wrong.
Monroe tried to pay for drugs using counterfeit money. During the exchange, when the money was found to be fake, a man began firing shots at Monroe.
Little Jenkins was struck four times, including once in the head, leaving him in critical condition.
At the time, Monroe was arrested for his involvement in the incident. He was charged with recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty to both charges.
If medical examiners deem Jenkins’ death to be a result of the injuries he sustained in the shooting, more charges could follow.
