News

Man charged in murder of Manchester toddler has criminal past

MANCHESTER, N.H. — The man charged in the death of a 2-year-old boy waived his right to his first court appearance.

Manchester Police have been investigating since the New Hampshire Attorney General called the toddler's death suspicious Monday. Officers were called to a home on Howe Street around 11:30 a.m., where they found 2-year-old Jacob Pelletier unconscious.

The toddler was rushed to Elliot hospital where he was pronounced dead.

PREVIOUS: Manchester police investigating suspicious death of 2-year-old

The autopsy revealed Pelletier died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen and his death was ruled a homicide.

Wednesday night, the New Hampshire Attorney General announced charges against 32-year-old Mark Heath, a man family members say was Jacob’s mother’s boyfriend.

Heath is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count alleges that he acted knowingly, the other alleges that he acted recklessly.

PREVIOUS: Man charged with murder for death of 2-year-old in NH

Heath, however, waived his right to an arraignment. For now, he is staying in jail.

Boston 25 News learned Heath has a criminal past an has been arrested five different times from 2003 to 2012. Those arrests stem from charges varying from animal cruelty, to ID theft, to stolen property, and resisting arrest.

Police say they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Pelletier's death.