A Texas man has been charged with murder after a 1-year-old boy he was babysitting died in his care.
Marvin Rex Lake, 24, was arrested Monday in El Paso following the death of Ahren Joshua DeHart, according to KFOX 14. Lake was babysitting Ahren and another infant and toddler last week when the boy suffered head and internal injuries.
On April 13, police were called to El Paso Children’s Hospital where Ahren was admitted with multiple injuries, including a skull fracture. The day before, Lake had told the boy’s mother he had gone limp and vomited. When his mother went to pick him up, Ahren was unresponsive and not breathing properly.
The boy was taken to the hospital and placed on life-support. Doctors described his injuries, brain damage, a skull fracture, hemorrhaging of the lung, abdominal injuries and bruising, as not accidental.
The boy died Friday.
During an interview with police, Lake changed his story multiple times and eventually said he used “several wrestling-style moves” on the boy and at one point dropped him and Ahren hit a futon frame. Lake also told investigators he had anger issues and lost his temper after the boy ripped a pillow.
While with the police, Lake reportedly called the boy’s mother and told her he was responsible for Ahren’s internal injuries. Lake was booked hours after a medical examiner declared the boy’s cause of death as intentional trauma/homicide.
There is no information about the other children Lake was babysitting at time Ahren was injured.
Lake remains in custody at El Paso County Detention Facility after not receiving bond.