Toddler dies after being abused ‘over a long period of time’

GLENDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) - An Arizona couple is facing charges after police say a toddler was beaten and later died when they did not get him medical help.

According to court records, Francisco Javier Felix Higuera and Maria Isabel Machado Perez drove a 21-month-old boy to a CVS pharmacy on Thursday because he was not moving and not breathing. The boy had bruises all over his body and cuts on his head, face and groin area. Firefighters were called and they took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Higuera and Perez were taken into custody and police asked them how the boy got injured. Higuera initially said they were in a car crash “about 10 to 15 days ago” where they were rear-ended on the freeway, but later admitted that was a lie and that he was covering for Perez, according to police.

Turns out, Perez was rear-ended by a hit-and-run driver and the boy was not in a car seat or wearing a seatbelt. Higuera told investigators that is how he got bruises on his face.

Authorities say Higuera told them that the boy fell in the shower and had trouble standing at a park. A few days before being driven to the CVS, Higuera said the boy was throwing up and not eating, according to police.

During questioning, Higuera was showing photos of the victim’s injuries and he admitted the bruises on his cheeks were from when he forced the boy’s mouth open to eat because he had not eaten since he was throwing up, according to court paperwork.

Higuera was questioned again the next day when police showed him the boy’s autopsy results, which revealed that he was abused over “a long period of time.”

Higuera then admitted to throwing the boy about four feet above the ground and into a crib on the day they took him to CVS, according to police. Higuera said he did this because the boy’s full diaper broke and he was covered in feces and after that incident, the boy started throwing up, according to court paperwork.

Higuera also admitted to police to beating the boy with a belt on his chest and backside, according to police.

A video from Higuera’s cellphone taken on Thursday morning showed the child didn’t have any bruises on his face, but another video taken around 6 p.m. showed bruises on his face and body, according to police.

Higuera was arrested and booked into jail on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse. Perez was arrested and faces a child abuse charge since police said she allowed the abuse to happen and didn’t give the boy medical care when he needed it.

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