A Colorado man has been charged with first degree murder after he allegedly beat his 4-year-old godson to death over the weekend.
The Aurora Police Department said they were called to an apartment on a report of the boy not breathing. Paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Before he was taken, officer noted that he had “significant injuries.”
Police said that Alexander Martinez-Armstrong admitted hitting the boy and was arrested.
According to a probable cause statement, the boy’s mother had dropped him off at Martinez-Armstrong’s apartment for “boot camp” aimed at correcting “behavioral issues,” the Denver Post reported. She said the young boy lied to her, sneaked into her purse, didn’t listen, and sneaked candy.
She described Martinez-Armstrong as “like a brother” to her and said she gave him “full permission” to whip the barely over a toddler with a belt, spank him, and force him to do push-ups, planks, and wall sits, KUSA said.
Martinez-Armstrong concurred with the mother’s report and said the child was “on punishment for being bad, disruptive and not listening.” He said he forced him to do push-ups until he collapsed, which like caused bruising found on the child’s face and forearms.
He said that he most heavily “disciplined” the child on Saturday, when he hit him at least 21 times with a belt on his bare skin, the Post said.
The boy fell asleep on on the couch after the beating. Martinez-Armstrong later checked on him and found him unresponsive. His girlfriend called 911 while he stood over the boy, trying CPR.
Medical personnel found the child covered from “head to toe” in bruises, and officers found a belt with a broken prong on the kitchen counter. They also found papers with a child’s handwriting, where Martinez-Armstrong had apparently forced him to “practice” writing numbers.
Cause and manner of death will be released by the coroner’s office. Martinez-Armstrong is being held without bond.
Featured image: Alexander Martinez-Armstrong/Aurora Police Department
