Monday, July 14, 2014

Phoenix man pleads guilty in nephew's 2012 death

 
Posted: Jul 11, 2014 1:42 PM MST Updated: Jul 11, 2014 1:42 PM MST

PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his infant nephew in 2012.

Maricopa County prosecutors say Manuel Antonio Gonzalez entered his plea Friday. He's scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 5.

Phoenix Fire Department crews responded to a drowning call at a home in October 2012.

They reported finding 21-month-old Xavier Becerra Martinez hurt, but his injuries didn't appear consistent with a drowning.

Fire crews called Phoenix police and then transported the boy and Gonzalez to a hospital, where the toddler later died.

Police say homicide investigators discovered Gonzalez was watching his two small children and his nephew.

He told police that Xavier was playing with a hose and drowned in a puddle of water.

Authorities said the injuries were more consistent with child abuse.

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http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/25999083/phoenix-man-pleads-guilty-in-nephews-2012-death

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