NEW YORK CITY — Ayden Wolfe, a 10-year-old boy from Harlem, tragically died in March 2021 after enduring severe abuse by his mother’s boyfriend, 38-year-old Ryan Cato. On April 25, 2025, Cato was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of Ayden.
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The abuse began shortly after Cato moved into the family’s apartment in January 2021. Prosecutors revealed that Cato subjected Ayden to cruel punishments, including forcing him to hold weights while assaulting him, and recorded the abuse, sharing the videos with friends. Medical examiners determined that Ayden died from battered child syndrome, with injuries including broken ribs and internal lacerations.
The case highlighted the increased vulnerabilities children faced during the pandemic, when remote schooling limited their interaction with teachers and school staff. District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated, “While today’s sentencing will not bring back this innocent child, I hope it gives his loved ones a sense of comfort and closure in this abhorrent crime.”
Ayden’s father, Darnell Wolfe, expressed his grief, stating, “Ayden had a future, which he has no more.” The community in Harlem mourned the loss, with vigils held in his memory.
This case serves as a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in preventing child abuse.
