ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) – A 2-year-old boy was sexually assaulted and killed by his babysitter while his mother was at work, according to authorities in St. Louis.

Bianca Wells said her son Bre’Yon was “so happy.”

“My baby was so happy. He was so loving. He loved everybody and everything,” she said. “He just wanted to be a kid and enjoy life. I thought that’s what he was doing.”

According to the St. Louis Metro Police Department, Bre’Yon was left in the care of 21-year-old Nicco Cotton on Oct. 27. Cotton was a close friend and Wells’ boyfriend.

Cotton admitted to sexually assaulting and strangling Bre’Yon after turning himself in on Thursday, according to court documents.

Prosecutors charged Cotton with second-degree murder, forcible sodomy, statutory sodomy and abuse of a child, resulting in death.

“I watch Law and Order all day, so to feel like this is me and this is my baby. The happiest baby in the world. He doesn’t deserve this. It feels like my heart is shattered. It doesn’t feel like I have air in my lungs right now,” Wells said.

Wells said she was at work and left her son with Cotton, whom she trusted.

“I feel like my baby was put in positions he shouldn’t have been in because his mom didn’t have much support in life and no one to be there for her,” she said. “Support your family, be there for them, because you could be like me and have nothing.”

Investigators said Bre’Yon arrived at Cardinal Glennon Hospital unresponsive and doctors determined his injuries were consisted with abuse. The 2-year-old later died from from multiple internal and asphyxial injuries, including a lacerated liver and multiple signs of sexual assault.

Wells said she will no be satisfied until justice is served.

“When I can look him in his eyes and know that he’s going to sit behind a cell for the rest of his life, I’ll breathe,” she said.

Wells said her only comfort is knowing Bre’Yon was loved and that he is in a better place with his father.

“That’s the worst part. I felt like my baby was safe, he was OK, and looked after, and he wasn’t,” she said. “I love you, Doodie, I’m sorry.”

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