The Murder of 5-Month-Old Raymond Porfil Jr.

In 2010, eight years before Joann McLeod murdered her 5-month-old son Raymond Porfil Jr. by “extreme abuse and neglect,” three of her children were removed by the Department of Children and Family Services due to child abuse, drug use, and neglect. The children ranged in age. All three went into foster care.

Complaint of Abuse Filed Against Joann McLeod

DCS did not consider this piece of information when concerned individuals filed a complaint against McLeod with the child abuse hotline on May 20, 2018. In fact, they never conducted a background check on the woman to learn this information. Had DCS officials followed proper protocol and conducted the required background check, Raymond could have been saved.

Workers with DCS did visit the McLeod apartment home to investigate the child abuse claims. However, they found nothing wrong and reported that Raymond and his older sister, RayJasmine, were safe.

Raymond Murdered by Joann

Sadly, tragedy occurred a short time after this visit from state workers. Just over two weeks later, Raymond was dead, the victim of a cracked skull caused when McLeod tossed him against a wall.

Joann abused Raymond frequently. Any time he cried or really, for no reason other than her desire to hit him. Raymond Jr. reminded her so much of his father, she didn't like him, she later told police.

Paramedics found the infant unresponsive in his crib at a Bronx apartment complex on June 4, 2018. They also found RayJasmine unharmed in the apartment. McLeod dialed 9-1-1 to report that Raymond was not breathing. He was transported to St. Barnaba Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

McLeod Admits to Abuse

Police took McLeod into custody. She told detectives she repeatedly threw Raymond into the wall and left him in his crib without calling for help for at least one hour. She also told detectives she loved the older girl more and did not really like the infant because he reminded her of his father.

McLeod’s family told reporters that she suffered from drug addiction and mental illness. She and Raymond Sr. split about one year before the murder when he went to rehab for heroin addiction.

Raymond Sr. Speaks to Media

McLeod reportedly struggled with an addiction to K2 synthetic marijuana. Family members said she also suffered from bipolar disorder.

Raymond Sr. told the New York Daily News:

“She was a bad, bad mother. She killed my baby. Every time he cried, she would spank and spank him. If I wasn’t there, she would hit him. He had a black eye and a bruised mouth.

McLeod told neighbors she stuffed a sock down Raymond’s mouth and taped it closed when he would not stop crying. She told them Raymond then “fell asleep.”

Witnesses said McLeod didn’t cry when at the hospital with Raymond.

Case Aftermath

McLeod pleaded guilty to first-degree homicide. She accepted a plea deal sentencing her to 10-years in prison.

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Resources & More Information:

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/ny-bronx-mother-sentencing-20191113-3vcxcqnwzngclfpfgtxbbreap4-story.html

https://nypost.com/2019/11/13/drug-addicted-bronx-mom-gets-10-years-for-slaying-of-5-month-old-son/