Dad charged with murder in death of 9-month-old son (Merced County, California)

Dad is identified as ANDREW L. SANCHEZ. Notice that the accused killer had some sort of custodial rights over a 4-year-old daughter by another mother, who was present "during the incident."

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/crime/article28791097.html

Father charged with murder in Gustine infant’s death

Authorities dispute claim by accused that 9-month-old fell off bed
Autopsy concludes child died of blunt force trauma

Sun-Star Staff

A 25-year-old Merced County man has been charged with murder and child cruelty in the death earlier this year of his infant son, according to Merced Superior Court records.

Andrew L. Sanchez appeared in court Friday but his arraignment was rescheduled for later this week, court records show.

The Merced County District Attorney’s Office charged Sanchez with murder and child cruelty Friday, five days after he was arrested by Merced County Sheriff’s Department’s detectives. Sanchez is accused of killing his 9-month-old son, Maddix Ramsour, on March 5 at a home in the 30000 block of Cottonwood Road in Gustine.

Sheriff’s detectives have not commented on a possible motive in the case or the specific circumstances surrounding the death. Deputies said autopsy results concluded the child died of blunt force trauma.

Sanchez reportedly told deputies the child suffered injuries when he fell off a bed, but deputies said the boy’s injuries were inconsistent with that version of events.

Sanchez and the boy’s mother were living together. Sanchez was watching the child while the boy’s mother attended college classes in Los Banos, deputies said.

The mother, speaking through sheriff’s investigators, declined to comment on the case last week.

Sanchez has another child, a 4-year-old girl, with another woman. That child was present during the incident that led to Maddix’s death, deputies said.

Sanchez remains in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility on $1 million bail, according to booking records