Autopsy: Dead newborn thrown or slammed against an object

August 22, 2008 - 9:07AM

OLMITO - A preliminary autopsy report reveals that a 4-month-old baby boy who died earlier this month while in his uncle's care suffered numerous severe head injuries in addition to malnutrition.

The infant had multiple head bruises and blood around the brain "consistent with significant blunt force head trauma," the preliminary autopsy report states.

Aiden Javier Valdez also suffered from "significant malnutrition" and dehydration, according to the report released Thursday.

The autopsy also found that the baby had "multiple contusions of the head, scalp contusion, subgaleal hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (blood around the brain) consistent with significant blunt force head trauma (beat about the head or thrown or slammed against an object)," the report states.

"Other contusions are also noted on the torso and extremities.

"The final report is pending toxicology results, other laboratory findings, medical records and microscopic sections of tissue."

The report lists the cause and manner of death as pending.

The baby's uncle, Abraham Jacob Proenza, 28, was arrested Aug. 11 - the day of the baby's death - by sheriff's investigators and charged with:

- Murder by omission by failure to seek medical care, a first-degree felony;

- Injury to a child by omission by failure to seek medical care, also a first-degree felony.

Prior to June 30, Proenza was in charge of Little Angels Christian Child Care, 230 S. Williams Road in San Benito, which was owned by his mother, Rosalinda Proenza, according to family members.

The facility was to have been placed on probation by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for a long list of deficiencies including inadequate facilities and poor record-keeping, agency documents state.

However, the Proenza family notified the state agency they had already closed the day care center, records state.

Rosalinda Proenza said the day care center was closed due to financial problems that she blamed on state reimbursement policies.

Abraham Proenza remains in custody in the Cameron County jail system.

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