A two-year-old boy from Iowa in the US, who remains unnamed, has died after a man sat on him for allegedly taking his cellphone.

Larry Murphy has been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death, the New York Post reports.

The boy’s mother, who was staying with Murphy and her sons at a motel, said Murphy had become angry when the boy took his cellphone, KCCI.com reports.

The 31-year-old then sat on the toddler for about 20 seconds on the motel bed and the boy became unresponsive.

According to KRON 4, Murphy is 1,8m tall and weighs 72,6kg.

Police say the little boy was pronounced dead at a hospital where doctors noticed signs of asphyxiation.

Local media couldn’t reach Murphy’s legal team.

Sources: KCCI.com, New York Post, KRON 4