Parents arrested in Indio on suspicion of murdering infant
Two parents were arrested Thursday in Indio on suspicion of murdering an infant.
Leonardo Daniel Fernandez, 33, and Zue Itzayana Flores Urias, 26, were both arrested by the Indio Police Department on Jackson Street at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, according to county jail records. Both are being held on no bail.
On Thursday at 4:28 a.m., Indio Police officers responded to JFK Memorial Hospital for a report of a couple who had brought in a deceased infant who had suffered traumatic injuries. Investigating officers interviewed the parents and hospital staff and determined the death to be suspicious.
According to the IPD news release, the infant had suffered fatal injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and physical abuse.
Urias faces the following charges:
- Felony - Murder: First Degree
- Felony - Willful Harm of a Child
- Felony - Assault of a Child Younger Than 8 Causing Death
*Urias also faces a misdemeanor count of Petty Theft
Fernandez faces the following charges*:
- Felony - Murder: First Degree
- Felony - Willful Harm of a Child
- Felony - Assault of a Child Younger Than 8 Causing Death
*Fernandez also faces two misdemeanors, Petty Theft, and Brandishing a Weapon or Firearm in a Threatening Manner.
Both suspects are Indio residents. They were last staying at Martha's Village, according to Indio Police Department public information officer Ben Guitron. They were first detained at the hospital, then arrested at the Indio Police Department following the investigation.
According to Guitron, the couple has additional children, who have been transferred into the custody of Child Protective Services.
Both are set to be arraigned at Larson Justice Center in Indio on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.
