A Brooklyn man accused in the beating death of a 3-year-old Gravesend boy made a tearful appearance in court on Friday. 

Salvatore Lucchese, 24, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and endangering the welfare of a child. 

Lucchese was dating 3-year-old Jaden Jordan's mother, but is not the boy's biological father. 

Investigators say Lucchese was baby-sitting the boy on Nov. 28 in his Gravesend home when he tried to bathe the toddler. Lucchese claims the boy than hit his head and fell. 

However, Dr. O'Hara at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center has knowledge of child abuse and says the lacerated liver Jayden suffered is consistent with a blow or punch to the stomach. He also says the brain injury suffered is likely due to shaking, choking or suffocation. All injuries could lead to permanent brain damage. 

The 3-year-old was taken off of life support this past weekend and died due to his injuries. 

News 12 spoke to the family of Jaden's biological father and they claim he had no knowledge of any abuse.

Lucchese is due back in court on Jan. 27.