An Arizona man is facing first-degree murder and child abuse charges after police say he fatally injured his 1-month-old son by slapping him multiple times in an attempt to stop the baby from crying.
Emergency crews responded to a call last week at an apartment complex where the infant was found in respiratory distress. Despite efforts to revive him, the baby died the following morning at a nearby hospital. Medical staff noted extensive bruising and internal trauma, including a brain bleed, raising immediate concerns about foul play.
The child’s father, 19-year-old Arnold Barnley, was alone with the infant at the time. Initially, Barnley claimed the baby had accidentally fallen while he was napping on the couch. However, during further questioning, he admitted to slapping the infant more than five times to quiet him. He later expressed regret and acknowledged his actions were wrong.
According to investigators, the baby’s mother had left around 7:30 p.m. to buy groceries, leaving Barnley alone with their son. When she returned, she found the baby unresponsive and called 911.
Court documents revealed a troubling pattern of behavior. The mother told police that Barnley was unemployed, rarely helped with the baby or their other child, and often spent hours on video games and watching content on his tablet. She also said he had a history of anger issues, including punching holes in the walls during arguments.
Barnley is currently being held on a $1 million bond, and a preliminary hearing is set for August 7, 2025. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to build their case.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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