An Arizona couple was arrested on child abuse charges in connection with Sunday’s death of their 1-year-old son.
Braydon Pena and Shania Harris, both 25, called 911 claiming they woke up to find their son dead. Pena said he picked up breakfast for him and Harris before they went back to bed — leading Scottsdale police to determine their son hadn’t been checked on for 16 to 20 hours, according to KPHO.
Pena reportedly told police that they put their son to bed between 10:30 p.m. on March 23 and 2 a.m. the next morning. Pena said they checked on their son at 6 p.m. on Sunday as they found it odd he was quiet for that long, KPHO reported.
Responding officers allegedly found the baby boy discolored and stiff in his playpen. According to KPHO, evidence also suggested Pena and Harris moved him into the playpen.
The news outlet also reported that the deceased baby had scabs on his face and leg. Police claimed the apartment was messy and it was evident the baby had not been bathed in some time.
Harris claimed her son had hydrocephalus — which the Mayo Clinic describes as a “buildup of fluid in cavities called ventricles deep within the brain.” The fluid buildup leads to pressure on the brain.
Pena allegedly admitted to being a drug user, but he wouldn’t say if he recently used drugs. KPHO reported that Child Protective Services had prior contact with Pena and Harris. However, it is unclear why the agency was involved.
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[Featured image: Braydon Pena and Shaniah Harris/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office]
