Dad beat newborn to death for 'crying too much': Police
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Jonathan Enriquez (Mesa Police Dept.). Background: The location in Arizona where Enriquez allegedly fatally assaulted his newborn daughter (Google Maps).

A young father, aged 22, from Arizona is facing the possibility of spending his life in prison after being accused of fatally assaulting his newborn daughter, allegedly attacking the infant because she wouldn’t stop crying. Jonathan Enriquez has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the infant’s death.

According to a press release from the Mesa Police Department, officers arrived at an apartment complex on the 1800 block of E. Covina Street at approximately 9 a.m. on July 11 in response to a report of a newborn who was not breathing. The area is about 20 miles east of Phoenix. The caller reportedly informed the emergency dispatcher that the baby had “choked while being fed a bottle.”

Upon arriving at the scene, first responders said they were “handed” a 4-week-old baby girl who was unresponsive.

Law enforcement and emergency medical teams attempted life-saving techniques on the infant before transporting her to a nearby hospital for care. Upon admission, the baby was in critical condition.

“Investigators determined that the baby’s father, Jonathan Enriquez, aged 22, was alone with his daughter when she ceased breathing. They also found that the infant had multiple injuries at different stages of healing,” the release indicates. “Both parents of the child were interviewed, and during Jonathan [Enriquez’s] interview, he confessed to striking his child.”

Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital on July 26.

Court documents acquired by Phoenix CBS affiliate KTVK revealed more details about the tragic death of the newborn. The report states that after questioning the victim’s parents, detectives noticed several discrepancies in their statements.

While both reportedly said their daughter’s injuries were the result of the child falling off the bed (a change from the initial choking-while-feeding story), Enriquez later admitted to being “quite forceful” while changing the baby. He then allegedly claimed that the baby would often hit herself, saying it caused him “frustration,” but continued to deny striking the infant.

Enriquez then reportedly claimed the injuries could have occurred when his daughter fell out of her car seat or when a seatbelt buckle struck her in the face, bruising her eye.

However, a forensic search of Enriquez’s phone showed that shortly before calling 911, Enriquez had texted the baby’s mother, imploring her to return home immediately because he had “messed up,” per the report.

Doctors reportedly determined that Enriquez’s daughter suffered a fractured skull, brain bleed, broken leg, and several broken ribs. The autopsy report stated that the newborn’s “catastrophic” injuries were likely caused by “slamming, crushing, or stomping.”

When confronted with the autopsy results, Enriquez allegedly confessed that he struck his daughter in the head while she was in her bassinet because she was “crying too much,” KTVK reported. He then allegedly expressed “deep remorse” for inflicting the fatal wounds on his daughter.

Enriquez was booked into the Maricopa County Jail, where he is currently being held on $1 million bond.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Three Top MS-13 Leaders Sentenced to Decades in Prison

Left to right: Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia a.k.a. Mejia, Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia a.k.a.…

“South Australia Introduces Strictest Knife Laws in the Nation”

The South Australian government is implementing stricter regulations regarding the sale and…

Mother and Boyfriend Accused of Neglect Following Death of Her Disabled 19-Year-Old Daughter

An Indiana woman and her boyfriend face charges of neglecting a dependent…

Ex-Partner of College Cheerleader Provides DNA Following Discovery of Deceased Newborn in Closet

A former University of Kentucky student’s ex-boyfriend has provided his DNA after…

“Woman’s Horrifying Experience: Man Sentenced for Rape from Decades Ago”

Warning: This story contains details and content that some readers may find…

Lori Vallow Daybell, Convicted Killer, Shares Religious Message with Surviving Son During CrimeCon Event

Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman convicted of killing her children, reached out…

Man Fatally Attacks Woman Who Intervened in 7-Eleven Dispute: District Attorney

Left inset: John Kelly (Philadelphia Police Department). Right inset: Lauren Jardine (Facebook).…

Tragic Incident: Church Volunteer Killed by Homeless Individual He Sheltered, Say Police

Background: Matthew Dieringer at his court appearance on Sept. 7 (KPHO). Inset:…

Body Discovered in Trunk of Car Linked to Singer D4vd

A body was found in the trunk of an impounded Tesla at…

Adoptive Parents of 9-Year-Old Murder Victim Charged Again as Another Child Discovered Malnourished in Their Care

A Pennsylvania woman was criminally charged on Friday, a day after her…

Fundraiser for Suspected Stabber Taken Down by GoFundMe

Inset left: Left to right: Decarlos Dejuan Brown, Jr. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s…

Two Teenagers Accused in Deadly Crash with Suspected Stolen Vehicle

Two teens have been charged over a fatal car crash that left…