Elijah Matias, 23, was arrested on October 10, 2024, and charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 3-year-old boy in Reading, PA. The child, who was in Matias’ care, died in 2021 from blunt force trauma. A renewed investigation led to Matias’ arrest after new evidence emerged linking him to the fatal injuries.
On January 28, 2021, officers with the Reading Police Department were dispatched to 437 Schuylkill Avenue for a report of a 3-year-old male in respiratory distress. The child was transported to Reading Tower Health Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:30 PM.
Detectives with the Reading Police Department arrived on scene and an investigation was initiated. They learned that the victim was in the sole care of his mother’s paramour, Elijah Matias, just prior to the 911 call being placed from the residence on January 28, 2021.
On January 30, 2021, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman, conducted an autopsy on the victim at Reading Tower Health Hospital. The autopsy revealed that the victim had suffered multiple internal and external injuries that were in various stages of healing. The cause of death was determined to have been blunt force trauma resulting in lacerations to the victim’s liver, mesentery, and pancreas. Based upon the findings of Dr. Hoffman, the child’s death was ruled a homicide.
As part of their ongoing criminal investigation, the Reading Police Department conducted numerous interviews with members of the victim’s immediate and extended family, as well as with those familiar with the victim. Despite their continued efforts, no arrests were made in this investigation.
In April of 2024, as part of Berks County District Attorney John Adams’ Cold Case Initiative, the Reading Police Department and the Berks County Detectives began to work together on this investigation. As part of this joint investigation, detectives began to methodically re-examine the existing medical records relating to the various injuries and physical abuse sustained by the victim over the hours, days, and weeks, leading up to his death.
In consultation with various medical professionals, including Forensic Pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman, police learned that the victim’s fatal injuries were inflicted just hours prior to his death. Thesenew medical findings allowed investigators to significantly narrow down the timeline and focus on the victim’s activities on the evening of January 28, 2021. It was determined that the victim was under the sole care and supervision of the defendant in the hours preceding his death.
On October 7, 2024, a criminal complaint was filed charging the defendant with Murder of the First Degree, Murder of the Third Degree, Aggravated Assault, and related offenses. These charges were filed jointly by the Reading Police Department and the Berks County Detectives based upon the criminal investigation that was conducted, which included interviews with the defendant, the victim’s mother, and various extended family members, as well as the findings of medical professionals.
On October 7, 2024, a warrant of arrest was issued for the defendant by Magisterial District Judge Alvin B. Robinson.
On October 10, 2024, the defendant was taken into custody at his current residence in Cogan Station, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania by members of the United States Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force. The defendant was returned to the Berks County Central Processing Center located in the county courthouse where he will be fingerprinted, photographed, and arraigned on these charges.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
