NSA Worker Charged With Beating 3-Year-Old Son To Death

A National Security Agency employee was arrested and charged with beating his 3-year-old adopted son to death, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Brian Patrick O'Callaghan, of Damascus, Maryland, allegedly beat his son to the point where he suffered bleeding in the brain and a fractured skull. The boy, who O'Callaghan adopted from Korea less than a year ago, later died in a hospital on Feb. 3 from his injuries. O'Callaghan was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse, the AP reported.

Steven McCool, O'Callaghan's lawyer, said his client is an ex-Marine and combat veteran who is currently a Korea specialist at the NSA. McCool also said his client, who was held without bail, denies his son's skull was fractured.

"My client is grieving the loss of his son while fighting what ultimately will be [proven to] be unfounded charges," McCool told the AP.

According to police, O'Callaghan said he was taking care of his son for two days while his wife was away, the AP reported. O'Callaghan told authorities that his son, Hyunsu, had slipped and fell in the shower. O'Callaghan then said the next day his son had mucus coming out of his nose and was vomiting.

O'Callaghan said he took his son to a hospital emergency room, the AP reported. The child suffered from multiple blunt injuries and bleeding in the brain, making doctors think the toddler might be brain dead. Authorities were called to the Children's National Medical Center. Police concluded the boy's injuries were consistent with a beating, the AP reported.

An obituary published by the Frederick News-Post said Hyunsu O'Callaghan and was born in South Korea, the AP reported. The obituary also said the child was adopted in October.

"He loved his dogs, his big brother Aidan, and anything his parents made for him to eat. He wasn't dealt the simplest hand in life, but he found something to love in it every day," the obituary said, according to the AP.