A 19-year-old father from Mesa, Arizona, is facing serious charges after allegedly beating his 6-week-old son to death while the child’s mother was out grocery shopping. The suspect, Arnold Barney, is now charged with first-degree murder and child abuse, according to police and court records.
What Happened That Night
At around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 28, emergency crews responded to an apartment complex on South Longmore, just outside Phoenix. The baby boy was found struggling to breathe and showing visible bruises on his face. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but tragically died a few hours later due to his injuries.
Doctors discovered the baby had multiple bruises, internal injuries, and a brain bleed, consistent with being hit or shaken.
Mother’s Account and Police Investigation
The child’s mother told police she left the baby at home with Barney around 7:30 p.m. to buy groceries. When she returned home, she noticed the baby had facial bruises and was having trouble breathing. She immediately called 911, while Barney reportedly refused to explain what had happened.
The mother told investigators that Barney had been unemployed, spent most of his time playing video games, and rarely helped with parenting. She said he would often become angry when asked to help and had a history of punching holes in the walls during arguments.
Barney’s Confession
After his arrest, Barney initially told police a false story. He claimed that he had fallen asleep on the couch and was unaware the baby was in his arms. He said the child had rolled off and landed face-first on the floor.
Later, Barney admitted that wasn’t true. He confessed to slapping the baby twice in the face. After further questioning, he changed his story again, finally telling police he had hit the baby in the head and face about six times because the child wouldn’t stop crying.
After the assault, Barney said he swaddled the infant, propped up a bottle, and returned to the living room as if nothing had happened. He waited there until the baby’s mother came home.
‘He Was Sorry,’ Police Say
According to a police report, Barney eventually admitted what he had done was wrong and told investigators that he wished he could apologize to the baby’s mother. He expressed regret for his actions, though it came too late for the child.
What’s Next?
Barney was booked into the Mesa County Jail, and his bail was set at $1 million. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on August 7.
The case has left the local community and many across the state heartbroken and angry. Authorities have reminded parents and caregivers that there are support systems available for those feeling overwhelmed and that violence against children is never the answer.
The tragic death of a 6-week-old baby in Arizona serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked anger, stress, and lack of support in young parents. Arnold Barney now faces a long legal process for the death of his own son, while a mother is left grieving a life taken far too soon.
Authorities stress the importance of seeking help, especially in high-stress parenting situations, to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
