On Thursday, authorities in Phoenix brought charges against a Glendale woman and her boyfriend for the alleged abuse that resulted in the death of her 1-year-old son.

According to the arrest documents, Francisco Javier Felix-Higuera was accused of first-degree murder for repeatedly mistreating the child, including on the day of the child’s passing. Along with the child’s mother, Maria Isabel Machado-Perez, Felix-Higuera is also facing charges of child abuse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to arrest documents, Machado-Perez contacted the Glendale Police Department on Thursday at approximately 6:40 p.m. to request an ambulance for herself and Felix-Higuera.

According to reports, communication difficulties arose for dispatchers in comprehending Machado-Perez due to a language barrier. However, only five minutes later, officers were able to locate the couple at a CVS on 75th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, where they discovered the young boy in a state of unresponsiveness. Upon inspection, officers observed multiple bruises on the child’s body, spanning across his face, chest, arms, legs, and back.

The young boy was transported to a medical facility for medical care, however, he was declared deceased at approximately 7:15 p.m.

Initially, both suspects denied harming the child when questioned by the police. However, an examination of the child’s body after his death revealed that he had suffered “serious injuries” shortly before passing away.

According to Felix-Higuera’s statement to the authorities, he had brought the victim and a 6-month-old child, who he shares with Machado-Perez, to a nearby park on that day despite the child’s alleged poor health.

The arrest documents state that during their time at the park, Felix-Higuera reported that the victim fell and appeared sluggish. Later, as Felix-Higuera was preparing to leave with the children, the victim removed their diaper while scratching a rash, causing a disturbance. Upon further investigation details emerged that upon the family arriving home, Felix-Higuera allegedly threw the child from a height of approximately four feet.

According to arrest documents, after Felix-Higuera tidied up upon arriving home, the child began to vomit uncontrollably and had difficulty breathing.

Machado-Perez was contacted by Felix-Higuera while she was at work. He urged her to come back home and take care of their child. Upon her arrival, Machado-Perez immediately called 911 and took the victim to the nearby CVS.

According to the autopsy report, the primary cause of death for the boy was a laceration on his liver and a detached bowel. These injuries led to internal bleeding that ultimately resulted in his death. The time frame in which the injuries occurred aligns with the period in which the boy was under the care of Felix-Higuera.

In a report, Machado-Perez stated the child was left with bruises from a hit-and-run car crash that happened outside the family’s temporary residence two weeks ago. She explained that she did not report the incident to the authorities as the child was not properly secured in the car. However, Felix-Higuera’s version of events did not match Machado-Perez’s.

According to both suspects, the child had also experienced previous injuries, such as slipping in the shower and constantly falling while trying to stand.

According to arrest documents, Machado-Perez originally denied that Felix-Higuera, who was not the biological father of the boy, had used a belt to beat the child. However, she later changed her statement after Felix-Higuera confessed to the act.

The defendants in the case were both granted bond. Felix-Higuera’s was established at $1.5 million, while Machado-Perez’s was set at $500,000.