Teen accused of murder cries in court

SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - A 16-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday morning in Springville Village Court, in the brutal beating death of his girlfriend’s toddler son. Dylan Schumaker, who is charged as an adult, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Schumaker was babysitting 1-year-old Austin on Tuesday when he called 911, saying the child was unresponsive. Deputies on the scene say there was substantial bruising all over Austin's body, and especially around his face.

"The mother's 16-year-old boyfriend struck the child repeatedly about the face and the cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma about the head," Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard said.

Deputies attempted to perform CPR on Austin, who was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Schumaker left Friday's court appearance in an orange jumpsuit and shackles. And when he was asked if he had anything to say, he stated, "Mind your own business."

Joseph Terranova, Schumaker's attorney, said, "My client appears to be a very immature 16-year-old. He is very distraught over what he's accused of and what he believes happened and that was apparent from just looking at him and interacting with him.

In court, Schumaker was overcome with emotion. His lawyer consoled him as Schumaker cried, looking over at his mother and saying, "I'm sorry" and "I love you."

Sheriff Howard said Schumaker beat the child to death because Austin wouldn't stop crying.

Terranova countered, "I can say the sheriff wasn't there. And I can say what the sheriff knows about this matter is confined to the statement, oral and written statement, that my client voluntarily gave."

Terranova would not elaborate further on the contents of the statements given by Schumaker to authorities.

Schumaker’s trial will now be in Erie County Court. Meanwhile the 16-year-old will stay behind bars as he awaits a grand jury's potential indictment on charges of second degree murder.

Schumaker's mother gave no comment to the media as she rushed to her car with her coat over her face.