Father Arrested In Death Of 7-Month-Old Daughter In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of murder and child abuse after his 7-month-old daughter died with significant injuries, authorities said Tuesday.

Rafael Santos, 38, was arrested and booked into San Diego County Jail after a preliminary investigation indicated the infant appeared to have died at the hands of another person, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Police were called at 6:34 p.m. Monday to an apartment in the 1400 block of Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley West when Santos reported that his daughter was unresponsive and not breathing.

Officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department paramedics performed lifesaving measures before the girl was taken to Rady Children's Hospital. She died shortly after midnight Tuesday, police said.

Police said medical personnel found significant trauma while treating and evaluating the infant, prompting an investigation by the department's Child Abuse and Homicide units.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the girl's cause and manner of death. Her name was not released.

Anyone with information was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.