PHOENIX — A West Phoenix man has been arrested for the murder of a two-year-old girl last Sunday.
Phoenix police reported that on February 9, they responded to a home near 83rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road after Tolleson Fire Department alerted them to "suspicious activity" at the house.
Police learned that a two-year-old girl was transported to Phoenix Children's Hospital for possible child abuse.
The victim was immediately taken into surgery due to severe internal bleeding around the brain. She also had bruises to her chest, thigh, back, eyes, and face, according to court records.
Hospital workers say the injuries were consistent with abuse. They also reportedly said the only other type of trauma that could have caused these injuries would be a "severe motor vehicle collision."
Police say Luis Alvin Medina, 36, was alone with two children at the time, who were recovering from the flu.
When the children's mother returned from work, she found her daughter, "unresponsive, unconscious, and cold to the touch."
On February 10, police returned to the home when learning that Medina attempted suicide. He was reportedly found in his bathtub with his wrists cut.
Police say he consumed numerous pills and motor oil and that he had pictures of his children in the tub with him.
A witness allegedly told police that Medina made statements about him "wanting to stop hurting his family."
Court records show that the two-year-old girl died at the hospital on February 11.
Medina was arrested the next day after being discharged from the hospital.
He has been given a $500,000 cash bond for first-degree murder and child abuse.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
