Police arrest man in fatal stabbing of 6-year-old in Southwest Baltimore

Police have arrested a man in the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Tuesday night in Southwest Baltimore.

Baltimore Police said the child, identified Wednesday as Seron O’neal, died at a hospital after being stabbed in his home.

Officers responded around 9:20 p.m. to the 2000 block of Deering Avenue in the Morrell Park neighborhood and found the 6-year-old boy with multiple stab wounds to the back, police said. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead, police said.

Baltimore Police arrested Alan Geslicki, 32, the boyfriend of the boy’s mother, shortly after the killing, the department said in a news release Wednesday. Officers arrested Geslicki during a vehicle stop and short foot pursuit that ended in the 100 block of South Carrollton Avenue. He faces charges of first-degree murder, police said Wednesday.

Neighbors on Deering Avenue on Wednesday expressed shock and sadness at the child’s death. One woman said she would see him playing outside with other children.

Another neighbor, Tevin Jones, said he saw emergency vehicles “for hours” outside a nearby home the night before. He didn’t know the family, he said. Neighbors along the street are friendly but often keep to themselves.

“Anything that happens to a child, it’s unfortunate,” Jones said.

“I’m devastated by this, and my heart is with the loved ones of this poor child tonight,” Mayor Brandon Scott tweeted Tuesday night. “This is an absolutely horrific, unthinkable act and the person who did this deserves every bit of accountability they will face.”

Anyone with information can contact Baltimore Police detectives at 410-396-2100.