'Small Angel' Dies From 'Horrible, Physical Abuse' Allegedly Inflicted By Father: Santa Clara Co. Deputies

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – A 6-week-old baby who was allegedly abused by her father in unincorporated San Jose succumbed to her injuries early this morning, a Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman said.

On Sunday, the infant girl was taken by ambulance to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose where emergency personnel found she was under cardiac arrest and had multiple fractures on her body, sheriff's Sgt. James Jensen said.

The child's skull fracture didn't appear to be an accident, Jensen said.

• Previous: Baby Hospitalized In Critical Condition; Father Arrested: Santa Clara Co. Sheriff

The girl, whose name hasn't been released, was in critical condition and succumbed to her injuries shortly before 1 a.m. today, according to Jensen.

Earlier this week, the sheriff's office sent its severe child injury response team to the hospital to investigate what may have led up to the child's injuries, Jensen said.

Detectives went to the home of the child's parent in the first block of Boston Avenue near West San Carlos Street in unincorporated San Jose.

Investigators interviewed the baby's biological parents and arrested the child's father, 32-year-old Matthew Zabala of San Jose, on suspicion of child abuse and domestic violence, Jensen said.

Zabala is scheduled for arraignment at the Hall of Justice in San Jose this afternoon.

The sheriff's office and Valley Medical Center Foundation are raising money for the baby's funeral.

"The County of Santa Clara lost one of its youngest residents this week, a 6-week old baby girl who passed away as a result of horrible physical abuse allegedly at the hands of her father," the fundraising site says. "Despite the best efforts of the doctors and nurses in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit, the infant succumbed to her injuries."

Any contributions leftover after the service will be sent to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which helps premature babies and infants soon after birth. To date, $1,600 in donations are reached toward the $50,000 goal.

Donations can be made online via GoFundMe.

"The Office of the Sheriff and the Valley Medical Center Foundation are raising funds to ensure that this small angel has a funeral service befitting of her innocence and the brief joy she brought to our community and her family," the site says.

• Also see: Judge On Stanford Rape Case Steps Down From Criminal Court, Requests Reassignment

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via MaryRN on Morguefile