Father of New Kensington boy found dead arrested in connection with November incident

The father of Azuree Charles, the 9-year-old New Kensington boy who was found dead early Wednesday, was arrested Thursday in connection with assault and child endangerment charges from November.

Jean J. Charles, 40, was arraigned Thursday on charges of simple assault and endangering the welfare of children regarding an incident Nov. 16 in New Kensington.

According to a criminal complaint, New Kensington police received a report on Nov. 24 claiming a juvenile had been punched in the eye by his father, identified as Jean Charles.

The complaint does not name Azuree as the victim, but does identify the victim as a 9-year-old boy. Family and neighbors have said Azuree has only younger sisters.

A detective said he followed up with a Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau case worker, who said she had seen the child with bruising and discoloration under his eye. The caseworker took pictures and sent them to police.

The complaint states that the boy was interviewed on Dec. 13. According to the complaint, he said “my dad punched me in the eye.”

The boy said his father, Charles, punched him in the eye because he was making noise in his bedroom. The boy had a bruise under his eye in the morning, and told his mother.

Police charged Charles on Dec. 22, according to court records.

Although both charges are misdemeanors, Charles was ordered to be held without bond when he was arraigned Thursday.

He did not have an attorney listed in court records.

District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. found that “no combination of conditions will assure the defendant’s appearance at his preliminary hearing.” That hearing is set for May 19 before Pallone.

Related:

• Candles lit, balloons released in memory of Azuree Charles