Philadelphia Man Used Baby Son as a Human Shield While Buying Drugs, Prosecutors Say

Police in Philadelphia have arrested a man after he used his baby as a "human shield" while buying drugs, according to officials.

Nafes Monroe, 25, was arrested on Saturday, Anthony Voci of the district attorney's office told a news conference attended by ABC 13 EyeWitness News.

On October 19, Monroe was in a car in the Hunting Park neighborhood with his 11-month-old son, Yaseem Munir Jenkins, when the baby was shot four times including in the head.

At the time, Monroe was using counterfeit money to buy drugs, "knowing that counterfeit money is something that is very upsetting to drug dealers, and when they find out that they're being burned with counterfeit money, they act violently," Voci said.

Voci said Monroe used his son as a "human shield."

Prosecutors believe the accused "intentionally had his child with him when he was making such types of purchases with the idea or belief that if someone saw that he had a child in the car that they would not fire upon him."

Monroe was in the car with two other adults at the time, including his girlfriend.

"He also was the individual that was not only in the car with his child in harm's way, but drove the child to a house rather than taking him to a hospital immediately, then dropped his child off at the hospital and never looked back and went into the wind so to speak," said Voci.

This was not the first time Mr Monroe had used counterfeit money, according to Voci, who said the suspect used multiple aliases including "Nafis" and "Nyfes."

Last month, the boy's mother said in a statement seen by ABC: "My son is fighting for his life and it is not fair. He's innocent, so precious, and his smile will brighten up anyone's day. He's such a bubbly kid. So loving and lovable.

"How could anyone be so heartless! Please do the right thing and help us find some form of closure or answers in this tragic situation. Help us find the shooter. I can't eat or sleep. I need justice for my baby. For the coward who did this to him, you will pay, even if it not today or tomorrow. God will handle you accordingly."

Monroe has been charged with reckless endangerment of another person and endangering the welfare of a child. He has not been charged over using counterfeit money, according to Voci. He is being held at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Francisco Ortiz, 29, who is accused of shooting Monroe has been charged with attempted murder, according to CBS Philly. Police believe Ortiz is also linked to the fatal shooting of 2-year-old Nikolette Rivera.