Battered son of NYC hammer attack victim out of ICU

August 29, 2023

The young son of a Brooklyn woman allegedly killed by a hammer-wielding housemate has been unable to remember his dad due to temporary amnesia — but was moved out of the ICU this week in what is being hailed as a “remarkable improvement,” according to an update on an online fundraiser for the family.

Meanwhile, the maniac who allegedly battered the boy, 5-year-old David, his little sister, Sophia, and mom, Zhao Zhao, appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Tuesday to answer charges of second-degree murder, assault and weapons possession.

Liyong Ye, 47, tried to hide from the press by holding his head down before the brief hearing, during which a judge remanded him and transferred his case to the borough’s Supreme Court.

Zhao, the kids’ 43-year-old mother, did not survive Ye’s alleged assault in the family’s Sunset Park apartment last Wednesday.

Her kids have been recovering from the grievous injuries Ye allegedly inflicted — but they are finally making progress, according to the update posted Monday on a GoFundMe page set up for the kids and their grief-stricken dad.

The alleged Brooklyn hammer killer Liyong Ye — Liyong Ye faces second-degree murder charges — among others — for allegedly beating a family of three with a hammer and killing the mother.

Liyong Ye — Ye’s case was transferred to the borough’s Supreme Court.

“Last night, [David] was successfully transferred from the ICU to a standard hospital room, marking a significant step forward in his recovery,” the update read.

“Today, he was able to sleep peacefully and rest even better,” it continued. “This is a remarkable improvement from just a few days ago, when he would experience nightmares and intrusive memories during his sleep, making it incredibly difficult for him to rest.”

An update from the day prior noted that little David was “dealing with temporary amnesia and can’t recognize his father” but that “The silver lining is that he can express his needs and thoughts, a step forward that brings hope.”

His sister, 3-year-old Sophia, has also been making what the update called “major progress” despite recently fighting a lung infection.

Jing Hong Liu stands by his now-deceased wife, Zhao Zhao, and the couple's children, Sophia, age 3, and David, age 5. — Jing Hong Liu stands by his now-deceased wife, Zhao Zhao, and the couple’s children, Sophia, 3, and David, 5.

One of the children recovering in the hospital after Ye's alleged hammer attack. — One of the children recovering in the hospital after Ye’s alleged hammer attack.

One of the children in a hospital bed. — Both children have been in the hospital since the assault last Wedneday. A recent update said both were doing better.

“She’s in the process of having her ventilator removed, which is a significant milestone on her path to recovery,” the Monday update read. “While the most critical and dangerous phase seems to be behind us, we’re not letting our guard down as tomorrow presents its own challenges.”

Cops found Zhao and her two children lying in a cramped room on the second floor of a Sunset Park building at about 2 p.m. Aug. 23.

The officers had been responding to a 911 call about an assault in progress, the NYPD said.

Police said they arrested the blood-covered Ye as he was trying to walk out of the building, which is on 52nd Street near 5th Avenue.

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell (left) and Brooklyn South Commanding Officer Assistant Chief Charles McEvoy (right) update the pres after the attack last Wednesday. — NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell (from left) and Brooklyn South Commanding Officer Assistant Chief Charles McEvoy update the press after the attack last Wednesday.

Ye and his 9-year-old son also lived in the small, three-bedroom apartment alongside the family he allegedly attacked, police said.

Heartbreaking photos released by the family show the damage the madman allegedly wrought.

In one of the images, a child with swollen-shut eyes wears a neck brace as they lie in a hospital bed, surrounded by tubes.

Zhao’s husband, Jing Hong Liu, won’t be working as he sits by his kids’ bedside, according to the GoFundMe.

“Whatever happens next, we will face it together and provide the best care I can offer to my children,” said Liu, according to a news release from the office of state Sen. Iwen Chu (D-Brooklyn).

As of Tuesday, the fundraiser has raised more than $147,000 of its $200,000 goal.