A New York City man has been charged with assaulting his 8-month-old child who suffered bleeding on the brain and was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome.

Saul Cortez pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Wednesday in Queens. He is being held without bail. Prosecutors say the child is in grave condition and if he does not survive the charges will be upgraded.

Prosecutors say the baby was violently shaken and as a result suffered brain and eye injuries, a lacerated liver and rib fractures. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says there have been four shaken baby incidents in the past month in the borough.