Uniondale man pleads not guilty to charges of fatally beating toddler, prosecutors say

A Uniondale factory worker was arraigned Monday in the beating death of a toddler whom he was baby-sitting last month, according to acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Lord Pardo, 26, was held without bail on charges of second-degree murder, two new counts of first-degree manslaughter and one new count of second-degree manslaughter after his arraignment in a Mineola courtroom before acting state Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter.

Pardo's attorney, Jeff Groder of Mineola, entered a not-guilty plea.

Prosecutors said Pardo, 26, beat 18-month-old Mason Robinson on Oct. 11 after the toddler's mother, who is Pardo's girlfriend, left the boy in his care.

Mason suffered injuries that included a fractured skull, broken ribs and a lacerated liver and lung. The New Cassel toddler was later pronounced dead at Syosset Hospital.

Police arrested Pardo on Oct. 12.

Prosecutors said Pardo was also baby-sitting his 3-week-old daughter at the time. Mason's mother, Marie Eresthine, who had left her son in Pardo's care several times before, was at work at the time of the beating.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Pardo faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Singas said in a news release: "This young child's life had barely begun when it was cut short allegedly by this defendant, who was entrusted with his care."

Groder said: "The allegations are obviously heinous."

He added: "There is no more serious a case than this one. I have an investigation to conduct. And it is now underway."

Authorities said Pardo, who immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 2009, has no criminal record.

He is due back in court on Dec. 16.