MAGNA, Utah — A 25-year-old Utah man has been arrested in connection with the death of his infant son, who suffered severe injuries consistent with “abusive head trauma,” according to police reports.
Armando Valenzuela was taken into custody on Friday, facing charges of murder, a first-degree felony, and aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony. His arrest came a week after he called 911, reporting that his one-month-old son had stopped breathing.
Authorities say the child was taken to the hospital on March 14 after Valenzuela called first responders, claiming the infant had suddenly gone limp after he picked him up. Just hours earlier, the baby had been seen by a pediatrician and was described as “alert.”
Upon examination, medical personnel discovered multiple injuries, including bleeding in the brain, retinal hemorrhaging, and both recent and healed rib fractures. Doctors concluded that these injuries were consistent with abuse and not the result of normal infant care or any medical condition.
The child’s mother told investigators that the baby appeared fine before she left home on the evening of March 14. She also noted that her son would usually cry loudly only when left alone in a room with Valenzuela.
Valenzuela admitted the baby had been “screaming extremely loud” before suddenly going limp, prompting him to call emergency services. He attempted CPR until paramedics arrived.
During questioning, Valenzuela denied harming his son and suggested that the hospital staff may have handled him roughly. He also speculated that the baby’s injuries could have resulted from complications during birth via C-section. However, medical experts refuted those claims, confirming that the nature of the child’s injuries was not consistent with standard medical care.
The infant succumbed to his injuries on March 17, and Valenzuela was arrested on March 21 .
