Infant dies in hospital, father arrested for alleged murder
Mar 22, 2025, 11:37 AM | Updated: 2:11 pm
FILE - Handcuffs used at the decommissioned Draper Prison. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
MAGNA — The father of an infant who died in the hospital was arrested Friday afternoon for alleged murder, according to the Unified Police Department.
On Mar. 14, the UPD Magna Precinct said they responded to a call at a apartment complex.
The UPD said the call was from Armando Valenzuela, 24, who said his infant son became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Call records revealed that dispatch provided Valenzuela with instructions to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the infant.
Valenzuela said the infant became fussy, and he then went to go to the kitchen to grab his bottle when the infant began screaming louder, according to the affidavit.
UPD said the child became limp and unresponsive when Valenzuela picked him up.
The mother, Sierra Linder, said she was out of the house picking up her brother when Valenzuela called her, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit stated the child was transported to Primary Children’s Medical Center by Unified Fire Authority.
On Mar. 17, the child passed away.
Autopsy reports discovered the infant had various types of hemorrhaging, as well as multiple rib fractures with some in different stages of healing.
The affidavit stated that injuries are most consistent with abusive head trauma.
UPD said when interviewing Linder, she said the infant had no health concerns but became fussy when changing his diaper or rubbing lotion on his body.
When questioning Valenzuela, he denied doing anything to his son, according to the affidavit.
Per the affidavit, Linder said their son would only go into loud screams when he was alone in the bedroom with Valenzuela.
UPD said Valenzuela was arrested for alleged murder and aggravated child abuse.
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This is a breaking news story. It may be updated.
