Dad may face 1st-degree murder charges in death of 4-month-old daughter (Orlando, Florida)

Dad LUIS OMAR RIVERA may be looking at 1st-degree murder charges now that his 4-month-old daughter has died from her injuries. Of course, Daddy was alone with the baby at the time she was hurt. And Mom had to work.

It's startling how much paternal child abuse revolves around diaper changing. Check out the tab below for similar stories.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-jaliya-rivera-child-abuse-homicide20101122,0,4270227.story

Infant girl dies from injuries; father may face first-degree murder charge

Four-month-old Jaliya Rivera died Friday; her father, Luis Omar Rivera, is charged with child abuse.

Luis Omar Rivera, 26, is charged with aggravated child abuse in the death of his 4-month-old daughter Jaliya.

By Bianca Prieto, Orlando Sentinel

2:55 p.m. EST, November 22, 2010

Police confirmed Monday that a 4-month-old girl who suffered serious injuries while she was left alone with her father died on Friday.

Jaliya Rivera suffered at least two blows to the head, causing several skull fractures. Authorities said bone fragments also were missing from her skull.

The girl's father, Luis Omar Rivera, is charged with aggravated child abuse and attempted felony murder. Orlando police homicide detectives are now pursuing a first-degree murder charge against him.

Rivera was interviewed by police and told them he was the only person home when his daughter was injured, but claims he doesn't know what happened because he was asleep.

Rivera told investigators he got up to feed the baby and they both fell back asleep in the same bed early Thursday morning after his wife left for work.

When Rivera woke up a short time later, he realized the girl had a dirty diaper. Rivera said he put his daughter on the floor to change her diaper and noticed she was acting strangely and had stopped breathing, he told investigators.

Rivera called his mother instead of 911. When his mother arrived at the home, she called for help.

Doctors determined the girl's injuries could have been caused from shaking and being hit in the head, the report states. There also was bleeding in her brain.

Rivera is being held without bail at the Orange County Jail.

Jaliya's death is the 15th homicide investigated by Orlando Police this year. Homicide detectives have made arrests in the other 14 cases this year.