GOLD BAR — A couple charged in connection with the death of a 2-year-old boy in Cedar City, Utah were arrested Thursday in Snohomish County.
The man, described as the boyfriend of the boy’s mother, was babysitting the child while she was working night shift on June 12, according to charging papers obtained by KUTV in Salt Lake City. He allegedly sent her a text message saying: “Get home now. Emergency Chris not breathing.”
Then, “I am calling the cops.”
Paramedics discovered the child had bruises on his forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, chest and abdomen, documents say. He died at a hospital.
A medical examiner in Utah ruled the death a homicide, according to the court papers.
Prosecutors allege the man tried to cover up the death as an ATV accident. The mother allegedly went along with the story, but police quickly determined that the death was not accidental. Police also allege that the boyfriend may have previously abused the child.
The couple were charged in 5th District Court in Iron County, Utah on Wednesday. The boyfriend, 25, was accused of first-degree murder and second- and third-degree child abuse. The woman, also 25, was charged with child abuse and obstructing justice.
On Thursday, the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force arrested the pair around 11:30 a.m. They were hiding out at a home in the 63400 block of U.S. 2, the sheriff’s office reported Friday.
They were being held in the Snohomish County Jail.
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