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

Tragic Apartment Fire Claims Lives of Three Children; Investigation Reveals Hazardous Living Conditions

Background: A photo of the fire damage to Joshua Kannin”s apartment in…

Police Uncover Shocking Scheme: Man Allegedly Impersonates Missing Brother to Sell Family Home

Inset, left to right: Ted Harris (Facebook/WSB) and Kenneth Lee Harris (Cobb…

Victorian Father Allegedly Threatens Airport Explosion, Causes Uproar in Courtroom

A Victorian father accused of threatening to blow up Perth Airport could…

Video Allegedly Captures Man’s Disturbing Reaction to Teen’s Tragic Death

Inset left: Enrique Aguilar (Harris County Jail). Inset right: Mariah Alatorre (Obituary).…

Chef Accused of Fatally Assaulting Wife in Hotel Room with Multiple Objects, Authorities Report

Inset: Jeffrey C. MacDonald (WWLP). Background: The UMass Amherst Hotel, where MacDonald…

Flag Protection Controversy: Katter United Party Pushes for Jail Time in Australia

Queenslanders who burn the Australian flag in public could face jail time…

Queensland Carjacking Case: Court Upholds Conviction of Teen in Tragic Grandmother’s Death

A teenager who killed a Queensland grandmother and triggered landmark youth justice…

Passenger Faces Charges for Assaulting Crew and Fellow Traveler on Australian Flight

A man will face court in Perth today after allegedly kicking at…

Repeat Offender Faces Arrest After Allegedly Threatening Pregnant Woman with Firearm

In Gainesville, Florida, a serious incident unfolded yesterday involving a man identified…

Gainesville Resident Faces Federal Indictment on Drug Charge

Announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida GAINESVILLE,…

Alert Issued on Subtle Scam Targeting Elderly Australians

Older members of the community are urged to be on their guard…

Tragedy Strikes: Cyclist Fatally Attacked by Aggressive Driver During Bike Unveiling

Left: Rory Horowitz (Bernalillo County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Ellyssa Salazar (Bernalillo County…