Man sentenced 17 years for infant’s prolonged violent abuse

A Suffolk County court sentenced 33-year-old Vincent DiStasi to 17 years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision on Jan. 8, 2026 after he pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree for the prolonged, violent abuse of his five-week-old son in January 2024. Prosecutors said the infant suffered life-threatening injuries, including rib fractures, arm fractures and a subdural hematoma.

Court filings and the announcement of the sentencing said video evidence showed repeated violent acts against the child over a five-week period. Authorities arrested DiStasi outside Stony Brook University Hospital, where the infant had been treated for critical injuries. The Nassau County special prosecutor’s office, which was designated to handle the case, led the prosecution; the court announcement identified the prosecutors and defense counsel involved.

The severity of the injuries and the duration of the abuse have made this case a focal point for local child protection concerns. For families in Suffolk County, the facts are stark: a newborn subjected to repeated, escalating violence that required hospital care highlights both the vulnerability of infants and the signs that medical staff and neighbors may encounter. The arrest outside a major regional medical center underscores how hospital-based detection and intervention can intersect with law enforcement in life-or-death situations.

The legal outcome sends a clear message about criminal penalties for severe child abuse. Beyond prison time and supervision, cases like this typically trigger reviews by child protective services and can prompt policy conversations among pediatric providers, social workers and county officials about prevention, early reporting and support for at-risk families. The involvement of a Nassau County special prosecutor also illustrates cross-county coordination on complex child abuse prosecutions that spill beyond municipal lines.

For the local community, the immediate implications are practical and moral. Parents and caregivers should know the signs of serious physical abuse and trust hospital and pediatric staff to escalate concerns. Neighbors and relatives who suspect harm need to act quickly by contacting police or child protective services so professionals can intervene. Local clinics, pediatricians and emergency departments remain frontline defenses for identifying nonaccidental injuries in infants.

The takeaway? This was a tragic, avoidable case that should sharpen community vigilance. Our two cents? If something seems wrong with a child’s injuries or a caregiver’s explanations, call it in — let law enforcement and child welfare professionals sort it out. Protecting the smallest among us starts with timely action.