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Man charged with attempted murder after allegedly beating nephew

WORCESTER, Mass. — A 3-year-old boy is in the hospital with serious injuries to his face and neck area. His uncle is now facing attempted murder charges.

Witnesses tell FOX25 they saw Worcester police officers handcuff a man at the Lincoln Village apartments and bring him to a police cruiser.

Dispatch calls from the incident, which happened around 3:30 p.m., indicate the family member may have even confessed to the crime.

"Sir, we just received a call from a Taj McDonald. Says he killed his 3-year-old nephew, says he left him in the apartment,” the dispatcher said.

McDonald, 21, was watching the boy for the day while the boy's father was at work.

Police found the little boy near a couch, where he was hysterically crying.

McDonald has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, reckless endangerment of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, assault and battery on a family member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and strangulation.

Police said McDonald will be arraigned Friday morning.

A DCF spokesperson says, they are investigating.