Police: 3-Month-Old Boy Dies After Assault By Father
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 3-month-old boy died Monday of injuries police say were inflicted by his 20-year-old father.
Jordan Mendez was arrested after officers were dispatched Friday on a baby-not-breathing call in the 800 block of West Stevens Avenue, Santa Ana police officials said.
Officers confirmed Tristan Cota La Verne Mendez wasn't breathing and, along with Orange County Fire Authority personnel, performed CPR on the infant before taking him to Children's Hospital of Orange County, police said.
Hospital staff found signs of physical trauma on the child, who was placed on life support, according to police. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Tuesday.
Homicide detectives arrested the infant's father on suspicion of assault on a child resulting in great bodily injury or death and booked him into Santa Ana Jail on $1 million bail.
Mendez had been the subject of an arrest warrant after being declared a fugitive in an identity theft case filed April 2 of last year. The arrest warrant was issued Nov. 7. He is expected to appear in court in connection with that warrant Tuesday.
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