Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a South Setauket man was indicted in Suffolk County on assault charges for allegedly repeatedly abusing his five-week-old son and causing brain injuries that required life-saving surgery in January 2024.
Vincent Distasi, 31, was arraigned today in Suffolk County Court by Judge Richard Ambro on charges of Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony); Reckless Assault of a Child (a D violent felony); and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued at $300,000 cash, $300,000 bond, $3 million partially secured bond. Two orders of protection were also issued. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces a potential maximum of 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on May 23, 2024.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office was designated as special prosecutor on this case.
“Vincent Distasi allegedly brutally assaulted his five-week-old son from his earliest moments, finally shaking the child so violently that he caused a traumatic brain injury that required the child to undergo life-saving surgery,” said DA Donnelly. “The infant spent weeks on life support and doctors thought he might not survive. As he continues fighting for his life, my office will fight for justice. The defendant’s alleged actions made his son’s first weeks in this world a violent nightmare and we will hold him accountable.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and investigation, on January 21, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the five-week-old son of defendant Vincent Distasi was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital unresponsive and required emergency brain surgery.
Doctors later determined the child suffered from multiple injuries, including rib fractures, fractures to both arms, and a subdural hematoma to his brain, among other acute injuries.
The infant’s injuries were in various stages of healing indicating that the child had suffered prolonged abuse.
As part of the criminal investigation, Ring video footage was secured from the Distasi home that recorded the family’s living room.
Review of the footage showed the defendant allegedly abusing the infant throughout the first five weeks of his life.
The video shows the defendant allegedly tossing, punching, smacking, and smothering the child over the course of weeks.
It is alleged that on January 21, 2024, the defendant violently shook the infant, causing the injuries that resulted in the child’s emergency surgery.
The defendant was arrested on January 29, 2024, outside of Stony Brook University Hospital by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th Precinct and Special Victims Section.
The case is being prosecuted by Bureau Chief Emma Slane and Senior Litigation Counsel Andrew Fukuda of the Special Victims Bureau of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. The defendant is represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.