Alleged baby-beating boyfriend will face murder charges, officials say

A Brooklyn man will face murder charges for allegedly beating an infant to death over the weekend, officials said.

Tyree Wright, 19, was originally charged with assault and a manner injurious to a child, but prosecutors told a judge Monday that they plan to upgrade the charges to second-degree murder since the city's Medical Examiner ruled the death of his girlfriend's son a homicide.

Wright did not enter a plea Monday, and was held without bail. He is expected back in court today.

The Medical Examiner found that 23-month-old Jacqil Degraffenreid had lacerations of his liver and pancreas, along with internal hemorrhaging due to blunt impact injuries, a spokeswoman for the office told amNewYork Monday.

Prosecutors said Wright allegedly told police he hit Jacquil on Friday night after the boy spilled baby powder, according to the New York Post.