MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis father has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in the death of his two-year-old son.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said it took the jury just one hour of deliberation to convict Antonio First of aggravated child abuse, murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect, and murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect.
First was sentenced to life for the murder. Sentencing for the abuse and neglect charges was originally set for June 27, but then reset to Aug. 6.
First’s son Brayton Brooks was found unresponsive and cold to touch on June 24, 2020. Prosecutors said the toddler had been visiting First for Father’s Day. The boy had extensive bruising on his face, arms, legs, and stomach, and ligature marks on his neck.
Investigators said First called 911 after the boy became unresponsive. Brooks was declared dead shortly after arriving at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
According to the D.A.’s office, an autopsy shoed the two-year-old had hemorrhages in his head, a lacerated liver, and hemorrhages and perforations in his intestines. Medical examiners concluded the boy had been hit at least 24 times across his 34-pund body.
Prosecutors said First claimed Brooks had choked on cookies, then later blamed the boy’s mother, the dogs, and then his ten-year-old son before admitting he had struck the toddler after the boy knocked over a WiFi box. They said First waited two hours before calling paramedics.
"It was difficult material to review and show the jury, but we had to do it for Brayton,” said Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen. “What Antonio First did to him absolutely had to be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and we are proud to have accomplished that and achieved justice for Brayton, his mother, and his grandmother.”
