Monday, July 13, 2015

Dad charged with murder in 2013 death of 7-month-old son (Sparks, Nevada)

Given that dad was 15, this was probably a visitation situation. And as often happens, a hormonal teenage male couldn't deal with infant caregiving.

Dad is identified as ENRIQUE MEDINA.

http://www.mynews4.com/news/story/Sparks-police-teen-dad-named-as-suspect-in/pEIvjNG7PkO9BuHzDdnIOQ.cspx

Sparks police: teen dad named as suspect in infant's 2013 death
Published: 7/08 12:14 pm Updated: 7/08 6:36 pm

SPARKS, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) - A teen dad from sparks has been charged with murder in the death of his infant son. Seven-month-old Manuel Medina died in 2013.

His father, Enrique Medina, 17, was arrested by Sparks Police on Tuesday on a 1st degree murder charge.

Medina was just 15-years-old when the investigation began in December 2013. Police were initially called to the family's G Street home on reports of a baby in respiratory distress.

Sparks police say officers and medics noticed a large bruise on the Manuel’s face.

News 4 obtained the 24-page affidavit for an arrest warrant. The report states Manuel’s official cause of death was severe traumatic injury in the brain, eyes, and spinal cord due to blunt trauma. Medical professionals initially believed the cause of injury was due to child abuse, possibly 24 hours before the 911 call.

In the report, detectives also say Medina made inconsistent statements about finding Manuel unresponsive. Medina also told detectives Manuel fell from a bed a couple weeks earlier, but did not notice any injuries.

Lieutenant Rocky Triplett says the investigation took two years as detectives interviewed anyone who had contact with the baby, and followed up on medical reports. Manuel had a large liver and heart for his age, but doctors did not believe it contributed to his death, according to the affidavit.

“These cases are always challenging. It is a tragedy all the way around,” Triplett says. “You have a young boy, actually, who's the father of a child. And then you have a child ends up passing away from some blunt force trauma injuries. And we have to conduct an investigation and it’s just a difficult process.”

Medina is in custody. He also faces an unrelated weapons charge. His first court appearance is scheduled for next Wednesday