Ariz. father accused of abusing, killing infant son after gaining temporary custody

TUCSON, Ariz. (TCN) — A 28-year-old father faces charges after his infant son died with injuries consistent with abuse and blunt force trauma.

According to the Tucson Police Department, on Monday, Oct. 21, Tucson Fire personnel responded to an apartment complex on Pima Street in reference to a 10-month-old child experiencing seizures. Medics attempted lifesaving measures on the child before transporting him to Tucson Medical Center. Police said the baby sustained severe injuries and was transferred to Banner University Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery.

Per a complaint reviewed by KOLD-TV, medical staff determined the victim suffered a skull fracture, displacement in his brain, and hemorrhaging in his eyes.

Jimmy McElroy, who was granted temporary custody of the victim in October, reportedly told hospital staff and detectives that his son had two seizures earlier that day. McElroy allegedly changed his story and claimed his son fell off the bed and hit his head.

The father later told authorities he dropped his son, and he landed on his head, KOLD reports. According to the news source, McElroy said after his son had a seizure, he gently shook the infant to help wake him up. However, physicians determined McElroy’s statement was not consistent with the power needed to cause hemorrhaging in the eyes.

Further investigation revealed McElroy allegedly called his mother, girlfriend, a friend, and his son’s doctor before calling 911. The victim’s doctor purportedly said McElroy claimed his son had one seizure and that the mother’s family has a history of seizures.

According to police, McElroy was initially charged with two counts of child abuse and booked into the Pima County Jail. His son succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 5, and McElroy’s charges were upgraded to second-degree murder and child abuse. McElroy remains held in the Pima County Jail on $500,000 bond.

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