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Judge denies bond for man charged with killing friend of 30 years and his 2-year-old son

“That guy denied my kids the opportunity to know the great father that everybody had to know," Michael Essien's widow told us after her husband and son were killed.

HOUSTON — The man charged with killing a Houston dad and his 2-year-old son will stay behind bars for now. A judge denied bond for 38-year-old Bolanie Fadairo and said his two murder charges may be upgraded to capital murder. 

Houston police said Bolanie Fadairo is the man seen on surveillance video shooting Michael Essien and stealing his SUV with the toddler inside. They said Fadairo abandoned the SUV and Micah Essien was found dead in the backseat hours later, likely from heat exhaustion. 

Michael's widow Mabel told us they were on the way to pick up Micah's 6-year-old brother from school Tuesday. She called police that evening when they never returned home. 

RELATED: Widow says husband tried for years to help man accused of murdering him and their 2-year-old son

What we know about Bolanie Fadairo

Investigators said Fadairo confessed to shooting Essien when they tracked him down Wednesday and claimed the victim owed him money.

Mabel Essien said that's just not true. She said her husband had helped Fadairo several times after discovering the man he recognized from high school was homeless. Michael was a security guard and he got Fadairo a security job and often gave him cash, she told KHOU 11.

RELATED: Surveillance video shows shooting of dad killed with toddler in backseat; bond set for suspect

“He took him under his wings," Mabel said.

 But Fadairo's behavior eventually made her worry and she warned her husband. "I told him, 'this guy is going to make you lose your contract.'"

The surveillance video shows the two men arguing in a parking lot before Michael was shot multiple times. He collapsed nearby and was dead when police arrived.

“He was very selfless, he put everybody above himself," Mabel said.

Fadairo has a long rap sheet with a criminal history that goes back two decades.

He told investigators that he'd known Michael for 30 years.

Michael and Micah Essien

Mabel said still can’t believe her husband and son are gone, but it was their spirit she will always carry with her.

“I want the world to see other people in Michael’s eyes – that’s the only way my husband’s legacy can move forward," she said. "My husband - he was the best. Anyone who never met him has lost the opportunity to meet an incredible person, a nice man, a kind man."

The mother of three is heartbroken that their newborn daughter will never know her dad. 

“That guy denied my kids the opportunity to know the great father that everybody had to know."

And the family will never get to see what the future held for Micah, described by family as a cheerful, happy little boy who loved going to church.

“Didn’t give me the chance to see him go to college, didn’t give me the chance to wake up every day and potty train him."

More than anything, this mom is asking for prayers. She’s raising two other kids, the youngest just a few weeks old. To read more about how you can support the family, click here.

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