An 11-month old is in critical condition after Philadelphia police say the infant’s father used him as a “human shield” during a drug deal gone bad.
Nafes Monroe, 25, was arrested last weekend, NBC affiliate WCAU reported.
Monroe allegedly brought the baby with him in late October while attempting to purchase drugs using counterfeit money.
While riding in the car with his son, girlfriend and another man, a gunman opened fire.
MORE: Kaepernick Blows Off NFL Tryout to Perform for Media Instead — Shows Up in ‘Kunta Kinte’ Shirt
Monroe’s son was struck several times, including one shot in the head.
Monroe did not immediately drive the infant to the hospital, stopping at a home before dropping his son off at Einstein Medical Center and leaving.
The boy, Yazeem Jenkins, remains in critical condition one month after the shooting.
Anthony Voci Jr., chief of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Homicide Unit, said during a press conference last week that Monroe was aware attempting to buy drugs using counterfeit money could lead to violence.
According to Voci, Monroe used his son as a “human shield” and had counterfeit money in the car.
“It’s our belief and our investigation has led us to believe that he intentionally had his child with him when he was making such types of purchases with the idea or belief that if someone saw that he had a child in the car that they would not fire upon him,” Voci said.
29-year-old Francisco Ortiz was arrested for shooting Jenkins. Police say Monroe was Ortiz’s intended target.
MORE: Prince Andrew: No Way I Abused Epstein ‘Sex Slave’ Because of My ‘Peculiar Medical Condition’
Monroe has been charged with recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child.