Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A Magna father, Armando Valenzuela, III, is charged with murder in the death of his 5-week-old baby.
- Giovanni died after suffering head trauma and broken ribs, the charges say.
- Police say Valenzuela told them he only handled the baby "softly."
MAGNA — A Magna father was charged Friday with killing his infant child.
Armando Valenzuela, III, 25, is charged in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; and two counts of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony.
Unified police were called on March 14 to a home in Magna on a report of a 5-week-old boy possibly suffering a full arrest. Paramedics who performed CPR were able to successfully regain a pulse and the infant was taken to Primary Children's Hospital.
The infant, 36-day-old Giovanni Valenzuela, died on March 17. Doctors discovered multiple broken ribs in various stages of healing as well as head trauma, according to charging documents.
"(The mother) was informed that Giovanni suffered abusive head trauma and she said that when she left (him) to go pick up her brother, Giovanni was totally fine. (The mother) stated that she doesn't understand how he was fine when she left him and all of the sudden he was just gone. (She) stated that she asked Valenzuela about what happened and Valenzuela claimed that he had done everything 'softly,'" according to the charges.
A doctor concluded that since Giovanni had "no history of significant falls, drops or other traumatic events," the types of injuries he suffered are most often caused by "infant shaking, forceful impact, and similar forceful handling," the charges state.
When questioned, police say Valenzuela "made many comments" about the possible reasons for his son's injuries. Detectives, however, told him "that the injuries coupled together are indicative of abusive head trauma and child abuse," according to the charges. "Valenzuela showed no shock or surprise and continued to say that he handled Giovanni 'softly.'
"Valenzuela continued to deny ever shaking or handling Giovanni too roughly," the charges say. But as the questioning went on, "detectives told Valenzuela several times that he was involved in the death of his son and Valenzuela would say 'yes' or nod his head, however, he did not strongly deny his involvement in Giovanni's death."
