Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Elijah Q. Rogers, 27, of Buffalo, was arraigned on Friday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class A-I felony) and one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony).
On Friday, May 23, 2025, at approximately 12:29 p.m., police and paramedics responded to a residence on the 300 block of Tonawanda Street in the City of Buffalo after receiving a 911 call for a report of an unresponsive infant. The victim, 3-month-old Kanai James Cureton, was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is alleged that during the early morning hours of May 23, 2025, the defendant, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk and caused the death of his infant son.
Rogers was held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
If convicted of the highest charge, Rogers a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Keane commends Detective Sergeant Keith Fitzner, Detective Rita Ruffin and Officer Alexandria Yeates of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan of the Major Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
