Reply #26: Ronnie Antonio Paris [View All]

"Life, Interrupted"

"Ronnie Antonio Paris (December 9, 2001 - January 28, 2005) was a three-year-old African American boy who lived with his parents in Tampa, Florida. He died on January 28, 2005, due to brain injuries stemming from severe abuse at the hands of his father, who thought the child would turn out to be gay, and forced the boy to box with him in an effort to keep him from growing up 'soft' or becoming a 'sissy.'

"In May 2002, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services removed Ronnie from his home and placed him in protective custody, after he was admitted to the hospital for repeated vomiting, and doctors determined he was undernourished and had a broken arm.

"On December 14, 2004, five days after his third birthday, Ronnie was returned to his parents. ..."