Father charged with murder in death of 5-month-old son | Top Stories

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – On Friday, Pima County Sheriff’s Department detectives arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the death of his five-month-old child.

Derrick J. Gonzales is facing charges of first-degree murder and sexual abuse of a minor.

The incident took place on June 16. Deputies responded to a home in the 6400 block of South Camino De La Tierra for a report of a possible drowning involving an infant.

When deputies arrived, the child was unresponsive and had no pulse. Medical personnel transported the infant to a local hospital, where he was later died. Hospital personnel identified additional injuries to the infant that police was inconsistent with an accidental drowning. 

PCSD Homicide Unit detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. An arrest warrant was obtained and Gonzales was arrested Friday. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner is investigating the cause and manner of the child’s death.