Man told poIice his baby had faIIen and that she would hit herseIf in the face, but denied hitting the 1-month-old infant, after repeatedly striking the child on the left side of her head, infIicting fataI injuries

Arizona – An Arizona man was arrested earlier this week and charged with first-degree murder and feIony chiId abuse in connection with the death of his 1-month-old chiId. The investigation process began last month when Arizona authorities responded to a call about a 1-month-old baby not breathing at an apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers found the child unresponsive and in respiratory distress. The child was immediately transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead the following day.

During the investigation, Arizona authorities discovered that the chiId had injuries in various stages of healing, suggesting prior abuse. The young parent, 22-year-old J. Enriques, was reportedly alone with the baby when she stopped breathing, raising suspicions about the circumstances leading to the child’s condition.

According to the police officials, the defendant gave several different versions to authorities. At first, both parents claimed the baby had fallen off the bed. The father admitted to being quite forcefuI while changing her diaper but denied hitting her. He said the baby would hit herself in the face, and expressed frustration over the situation. Investigators were also told initially that the baby choked while being fed a bottle.

Later, the father told two other stories. He first claimed the baby had fallen out of a car seat and into a stroIIer, hitting her head at least once. Then he said she had been hit by a seatbeIt buckIe, which caused bruising around her eyes.

Investigators found messages from the defendant to the victim’s mother, who had left for work, telling her to come home immediately because the baby wasn’t breathing and that he had messed up. Doctors at the hospital found the baby had a fractured skuII, brain bleeding, bruising around her eyes, a broken leg, and broken ribs, according to arrest documents. An autopsy revealed injuries consistent with slamming, crushing, or stomping, describing many of the injuries as catastrophic.

When police interviewed the defendant again on Wednesday, he reportedly admitted to hitting the baby on the left side of her head because she had been crying too much while in her bassinet. He also admitted to tightly swaddIing her in an attempt to stop the crying. According to court documents, the defendant expressed deep remorse and said he was ashamed of his actions. He remains held at the county jail on a $1 million bond as the investigation and legal process continue.