Beaumont Foster Dad Accused In Baby Son's Death

BEAUMONT, CA — A Beaumont foster father was arraigned Thursday on suspicion of murder in the death of his infant son.

Arturo Alcantar Vitela, 32, was charged with one count of murder and one count of assault on a child under 8 resulting in great bodily injury following the death of his 16-month-old child, court records show. He pleaded not guilty to both counts and is due back in court Dec. 5 for a felony settlement conference.

The defendant remains jailed at Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in lieu of a $1 million bail bond, jail and court records show.

According to the Beaumont Police Department, Alcantar Viteal reported finding the infant face down in his playpen and not breathing. The man called 911 at approximately 2:18 p.m. Monday from a home in the 1500 block of Ruby Lane.

"Dispatchers instructed the father to begin CPR until medical personnel could arrive," Beaumont police said.

When first responders arrived at the residence, they took over life-saving measures and transported the baby to an area hospital, but the child was pronounced dead upon arrival, police said.

"Due to the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death," Beaumont police said detectives from its department took over the investigation.

"After additional investigation by detectives and the Riverside County coroner’s office, it was determined the child died of injuries consistent with physical abuse," police said.

Alcantar Viteal has no felony convictions in Riverside County, according to court records.

No additional arrests were announced in the case.