Memphis, Tennessee – Antonio First has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the death of his 2-year-old son in 2020. The jury deliberated for one hour before delivering a guilty verdict for aggravated child abuse, murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect, and murder in the perpetration of aggravated child neglect.
First’s son, Brayton Brooks, was found unresponsive at his father’s house on Father’s Day in 2020. Paramedics described the toddler as “cold to the touch” when they arrived, and he was pronounced dead at Lebonheur Children’s Hospital shortly afterward. Reports revealed extensive bruising on the child’s face, arms, legs, and abdominal area, along with ligature marks on his neck.
An autopsy showed that the toddler had suffered multiple areas of subdural and subgaleal hemorrhage in his head, a lacerated liver with hemorrhage, and perforation in his large and small intestines. Medical examiners determined that the 2-year-old had been hit at least 24 times across his 34-pound body.
In his initial report, First claimed that his son choked on cookies before changing his story multiple times, blaming the toddler’s mother, the dogs, and then his 10-year-old son. Eventually, he confessed to hitting his son multiple times with a closed fist and a sandal after the toddler knocked over a WiFi box.
Despite the child’s struggling breathing, First waited over two hours before calling the police. Chief Prosecutor Eric Christensen, who handled the case alongside Chief Prosecutor Devon Dennis, expressed the difficulty of reviewing the evidence but emphasized the importance of seeking justice for Brayton, his mother, and grandmother.
Antonio First has been sentenced to life for the murder, with additional sentencing for the abuse and neglect charges scheduled for June 27. This case serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children and holding perpetrators of abuse accountable for their actions.