MESA, AZ — A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of his infant child, according to Mesa police.
On Monday, officers responded to an apartment complex near Alma School Road and Southern Avenue for a report of an infant who was not breathing. Police say officers found the infant in "respiratory distress."
The child, said to be just six weeks old, was taken to a hospital, where he died on Tuesday.
Officials say Arnold Barney was booked into jail on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.
"Medical staff noted visible bruising and internal injuries to the baby," police said. "Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the injuries were inflicted by Barney during an incident in which he was reportedly unable to calm the crying infant."
According to police documents, Barney first told police that the child was injured after accidentally falling to the floor during a nap, but later revealed that he had struck the child repeatedly.
Police say the incident occurred while he was alone with the child, at the home he shares with his girlfriend and another child.
The investigation remains ongoing.
