FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Lee County Sheriff’s deputies say a babysitter has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly beating an 8-month old child.
The Daily News reports Julian Valdez was pronounced dead by Gulf Coast Hospital staff after he was taken there Thursday morning. The incident was reported to authorities at 3 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.
His babysitter, 27-year-old Rafael Carrion, became a suspect while detectives interviewed him. An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office revealed Julian suffered “massive head injuries” consistent with a “violent beating.”
The sheriff’s office said Carrion could not explain what happened to Julian.
Carrion has been transported to Lee County Jail and faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated manslaughter. Bond has not been set and it’s unclear whether he’s retained an attorney.
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