RIVERHEAD, NY — Vincent Distasi, 33, of South Setauket, has pleaded guilty to first-degree assault for the repeated abuse of his five-week-old son that left the child with life-threatening injuries, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced Monday.
The guilty plea was entered in Suffolk County Court before Judge Richard Ambro. Distasi is expected to receive a 17-year prison sentence, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2025. Prosecutors had recommended a 19-year sentence.
The Nassau County DA’s Office served as special prosecutor in the case.
“Vincent Distasi is a sick and angry man who repeatedly beat up on his five-week-old son,” said DA Donnelly. “While the child survived, his quality of life remains uncertain.”
On January 21, 2024, emergency responders rushed the unresponsive infant to Stony Brook University Hospital, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery. Medical evaluations revealed the child had a subdural hematoma, rib fractures, arm fractures, and other injuries in various stages of healing—indicating prolonged abuse.
Ring surveillance footage from the Distasi home showed repeated abuse over the baby’s first five weeks of life. The video depicted the defendant smothering, tossing, punching, and shaking the child. The final, violent shaking on January 21 led to the infant’s emergency surgery.
Distasi was arrested on January 29 outside Stony Brook University Hospital by Suffolk County Police from the 6th Precinct and Special Victims Section.
To date, the child, now 1.5 years old, continues to experience severe medical complications and recently underwent another brain surgery to drain fluid.
The case is being prosecuted by Bureau Chief Emma Slane and Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Dorfman of the Special Victims Bureau, under Executive ADA Kevin Higgins. Distasi is represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.
