New York Post

Baby-slay rap for Bx. mom

- By JOE MARINO Additional reporting by David K. Li

Cops charged a Bronx mom with murder after her battered baby boy died from “extreme abuse and neglect,” law-enforcemen­t sources said Tuesday.

Joann McLeod called 911 at about 10 a.m. Monday and responding paramedics found her 5-month-old son, Raymond Porfil, unconsciou­s in his crib at the Bronx River Houses, authoritie­s said.

The unresponsi­ve baby was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Raymond (right, above) suffered from “extreme abuse and neglect” and had injuries from being thrown against a wall before 911 was called to the 13th floor of 1420 Bronx River Ave., law-enforcemen­t sources said.

McLeod (above, at her arraignmen­t), 30, was soon arrested and charged with murder, officials said.

Raymond’s sister, who is between 1 and 2 years old, was taken by social workers with the city’s Administra­tion for Children’s Services and handed over to her dad’s sister, said the victim’s uncle, Loriano Porfil.

McLeod “didn’t have to do that — we were always there for them,” the grieving uncle said.

“She was the one that didn’t let us see the baby that much.”

The irate and inconsolab­le father, Raymond Porfil Sr., stormed past photograph­ers outside the apartment complex and declined to comment.

Loriano Porfil, who also lives in the building, claimed McLeod struggled with mental illness.

He said the tragic baby’s parents had been estranged in recent months.

“Before that, they were living together full time — they were doing good,” the uncle said. Despite rocky times in the family, Raymond’s death came as a shock to loved ones.

“It made me feel bad, man, made me sad,” Loriano Porfil said. “Every baby cries [but this] baby never had a chance.”

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