Iredell Mother Charged With Murder In Death Of Infant Son

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — An Iredell County mother is facing murder and child abuse charges in the death of her four-month-old son, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

According to an ICSO statement, the infant was unresponsive and in critical condition when his father brought him in to Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville on June 27 around 9 p.m.

“Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Detectives spoke with multiple witnesses, and family members,” ICSO said. “Detectives learned the child’s father had arrived home from work to find the child breathing but unresponsive. The child’s mother was asleep in the bed with the child. The father immediately called for help and took the child to the nearest hospital.”

A CAT scan revealed the child had a serious head injury, and the baby was transported by helicopter to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. There, doctors determined the infant had a significant skull fracture on the back of his head, as well as other life-threatening injuries that were not considered accidental trauma.

The child died July 4 as a result of these injuries, ICSO said. An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and “ collected numerous items of evidence which included an empty liquor bottle in the trash can,” ICSO said.

“Altamirano admitted to having consumed alcohol during the day, and stated she could not remember what happened to the child,” ICSO said. “Detectives learned Altamirano had gone to the ABC Liquor Store earlier during the day where she had purchased alcohol.”

Citing evidence and information gathered during the investigation, authorities obtained arrest warrants for Altamirano for felony second degree murder and felony child abuse, ICSO said.

She was arrested July 16 upon her release from a medical facility, and her secured bond was set at $500,000, the sheriff’s office said.