Las Vegas man accused in death of girlfriend’s 3-year-old son
A Las Vegas man has been arrested after police said he abused his girlfriend's son to death.
Ramiro Camacho Jr., 34, was arrested Monday and charged with child abuse with substantial bodily harm in the death of Adrian Garcia, 3, according to his Las Vegas arrest report.
Police said the boy died Monday from blunt force trauma to his head, which caused severe bleeding and swelling in the brain. The child also had second-degree burns on his face, the report said.
Camacho told police he was taking care of five children Sunday night while his girlfriend, Monique Rivera, 28, worked at a nightclub. Rivera and Camacho live together at a home at 7569 Treasure Chest St., near Warm Springs Road and Jones Boulevard.
Four of the children, including Adrian, were Rivera's from a previous relationship. The couple have one child together.
Camacho initially told police he found the boy in a bathtub with vomit coming from his mouth and asked a neighbor to drive them to St. Rose Dominican Hospital, San Martin campus, the report said. He said he didn't know how the boy suffered bruises and burns to his face and didn't call 911 because he knew CPR.
Later, Camacho changed his story and told police that Adrian's brother Christopher had struck him with a chair, knocking him unconscious. Camacho told police that Christopher put Adrian in the bathtub and that another brother, Hector, splashed hot water on the boy's face to wake him up, the report said.
Camacho told police he thought the hot water might have caused the burns to Adrian's face.
The boy was transported in critical condition from St. Rose to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where doctors told police the injuries should be considered abusive, not accidental.
Camacho was booked at the Clark County Detention Center Monday morning, where he remains. The other children were interviewed by Child Protective Services and taken to Child Haven.
Camacho has not been charged with murder, but authorities said they are reviewing the case.
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
