As families prepared for back to school over the weekend, this past weekend also proved to be fatal for many valley children. Police departments from all over the valley sadly responded to various violence and tragedies that resulted in several youth fatalities.
Infant Dies After Being Left in Car at Superstition Mall
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Authorities have released information confirming that a 7-month-old boy has died after being left inside a parked car at a Superstition Mall in Mesa on Saturday.
At around 1:30 p.m., officers responded to the JCPenney parking lot regarding a child not breathing at Superstition Springs Center near U.S. 60 and Power Road.
First responders performed life-saving measures while rushing the boy to a nearby hospital, but he did not make it.
The investigation details that the baby was found alone in a parked car with the windows rolled up. That day’s forecast high was 106 degrees.
Police say the mother discovered her son in the car after spending about two hours inside the mall.
No charges have been filed on the mother however, the case remains under investigation.
Teen Girl Killed Accidentally By Family Member in West Phoenix
In West Phoenix, Police say a teen girl is dead after she was shot by a family member at home on Saturday.
Phoenix Police Department officials say at about 3:15 p.m., officers responded to a call to a home near 59th Avenue and Indian School Road for a shooting.
The caller reported a family member had been shot by another family member. Police said the suspect and victim are family members, but it is not clear how they are related.
When officers arrived at the scene they located a 15-year-old victim who was identified as Valerie Arreloa.
Arreloa was taken to a hospital where she died.
Detectives learned the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Alexis Vidrio, was reportedly in the process of cleaning a gun at the time of the shooting.
The police investigation detailed that Vidrio removed the magazine out of the gun and then pointed the gun at Arreloa, not realizing there was a bullet in the chamber.
Vidrio remained at the scene and was arrested. He is facing a manslaughter charge.
Teen Boy Found Dead Near 15th Avenue and Polk Street
Officials say at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday, the Phoenix Police Department was alerted for an “unknown trouble.”
When officers arrived at the scene, on Polk Street just east of 15th Avenue, they located a caller who reported seeing a body.
Officers located a man’s body with “obvious signs of trauma,” according to officials.
On Sunday, police identified the victim as 16-year-old Marco Guerra.
The area near 15th Avenue and Van Buren Street was closed for several hours as detectives conducted the homicide investigation.
Anyone with information related to this homicide is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Baby in Critical Condition After Pulled From Pool Water
In Mesa, firefighters say a 10-month-old boy is in critical condition after a near-drowning incident Sunday night.
Emergency crews were called to the child’s home near Meridian and Elliot roads just before 7 p.m.
Police described the scene as “extremely hectic” and said officers are still working to determine exactly what happened.
Earlier in the day, two other children were rushed to the hospital in critical condition after being pulled from pools at homes in Phoenix and Mesa.
