Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Police Investigate Death Of Badly Bruised 4-Year-Old
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2009
Modified Oct 24, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2009
Modified Oct 24, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday afternoon, emergency responders were called to a Crown Heights apartment about an unconscious 4-year-old boy. The child, Jayden Lenescar, was in cardiac arrest and later pronounced dead Kings County Hospital. Now the police are investigating his death as a homicide.
The boy's mother, Myrna Chen Phang, had called 911 about the boy's condition. She had custody of the boy but Jayden's father Mackenzy Lenescar took care of him on the weekends, according to Lenescar's sister. The ME's office is determining cause of death, but the police believe the amount of bruising on Jayden's body is suspicious. The NY Times reports, "An official at the city’s Administration for Children’s Services, which was investigating the death, said it appeared that the agency had not had any previous dealings with the family."
Lenescar was questioned by police last night, but a source says they don't think he was involved. Relatives and neighbors are expressing shock about the death; Jayden's uncle Karl Henry said, "We're not a family that abuses children. I don't think this is possible," while an aunt said, "His mom didn’t beat him."
Tagged
bruising
child death
homicide investigation
Jayden Lenescar
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .