A 9-year-old boy from Whitby, England, has died after suffering lifelong injuries from an attack by his father when he was just 7 months old.
Bradley Nelson passed away on October 22, 2024, after going into cardiac arrest while hospitalized.
His mother, Sharon Boocock, has since spoken out about the devastating impact the attack had on her son’s life, and authorities are now reopening the case to investigate whether further charges should be filed.
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Bradley was left severely disabled after his father, Darren Spreadbury, attacked him in April 2016.
The violent assault caused significant brain damage, left Bradley blind, and led to him being diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
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According to Boocock, Bradley’s optic nerve was severed after his father shook him violently, causing catastrophic injuries.
“Bradley was blind because [Spreadbury] shook him that hard, he snapped his optic nerve,” Boocock told the BBC. “He had a can of Coke’s worth of blood between his brain and his skull.”
In 2018, Spreadbury was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to four years in prison. However, he only served two years before being released.
A GoFundMe page set up by Boocock’s friends says that Bradley continued to suffer from the long-term effects of the attack, undergoing multiple surgeries and hospitalizations throughout his young life, including a severe battle with sepsis in 2022.
Despite his immense challenges, Bradley remained joyful and always managed to smile, his mother said. “I couldn’t go anywhere after 5 p.m. because Bradley would come home from school, and that was me housebound,” Boocock shared.
Bradley’s final hospitalization began in October 2024 when he contracted a virus. Following a series of severe seizures, he suffered two heart attacks before tragically passing away.
Boocock recounted her final moments with him, saying she was allowed to sit with him for 10 minutes before he suffered another cardiac arrest from which doctors could not revive him.
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The tragic case has now prompted North Yorkshire Police to reopen the investigation into Bradley’s death to determine if any further charges are warranted.
The police are conducting a review of the circumstances surrounding his death, given his complex medical history.
A GoFundMe campaign to cover Bradley’s funeral expenses has raised over £8,000 (approximately $10,000), with supporters praising Boocock for her tireless care for her son.
The fundraiser organizer described her as “the very definition of ‘a mother’s love,'” highlighting her devotion and strength throughout Bradley’s challenging life.
