The parents of a 4-month-old boy were detained after they brought him in an “unresponsive state” earlier this month before he was pronounced dead.
Father Mykeal Rangel, 20, told detectives that he “squeezed the child”, identified as Levi Rangel, because he was living a “parent’s hell.”
“He admitted to becoming severely frustrated with the child,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Jobe said.
“He admitted to shaking the child on multiple occasions. So the proof is evident and the presumption is great that this defendant committed murder.”
Levi died after sustaining broken ribs, including old ones that were healing, two bleeds in his brain and lungs, a possible spleen laceration, and “extensive retinal hemorrhages” suggesting he had been violently shaken.
The boy’s mom knew about the abuse but didn’t try to stop it because Levi didn’t stop crying, eat or sleep and “only wanted to be held.”
“She wouldn’t intervene,” Jobe added. “She wouldn’t do anything on behalf of this child, which is part of the reason that this child is dead.”
