Matthew Peter-Paul was three years old when he died last October after going into cardiac arrest. (submitted)An Indian Brook man was arraigned Monday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his three-year-old son.

James Joseph Peter-Paul is accused of killing Matthew last fall.

The 29-year-old hid beneath his sweatshirt as he was brought to Shubenacadie provincial court Monday morning. He didn't say a word.

He will be back in court on June 2.

On Oct. 1, RCMP in Indian Brook received a 911 call of a child in cardiac arrest.

Matthew was rushed to Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro and pronounced dead shortly after.

RCMP said the death was suspicious, but didn't give details.

Police were called to this apartment in Indian Brook, N.S., on Oct. 1. (CBC)

James Peter-Paul was arrested at his home in Indian Brook on Friday.

Many people in this First Nation community say they're shocked to learn about the second-degree murder charge.

Imelda Brooks lived in the apartment across the hall from the family. She got to know the little boy, who she calls Mattie, when they moved in last summer.

"I never seen his dad ever raise his voice or hit him or anything like that," Brooks said.

She still keeps a photograph of Mattie on her fridge.

"He was the sweetest little boy I ever met in my life," she said. "You don't find too many of them around."