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Friday, July 25, 2008

3-Year-Old Dies From Injuries

By Phil Parker
Journal Northern Bureau
       SANTA FE — A 3-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten by his father on the Jicarilla Apache reservation died Wednesday, two days after he was taken to the hospital in serious condition with head injuries and other signs of abuse.
    Police arrived at the home of Jay Rutherford Paiz Jr. just before midnight Sunday and found him outside, holding his young son in his arms and asking for help, according to an affidavit filed this week in U.S. District Court.
    At the hospital, officials observed bruises all over the child's body — some up to a week old — and whip marks on both his legs.
    Paiz had had custody of his son for less than two weeks.
    According to the affidavit, Paiz initially said he'd been "playing rough" with the victim and the victim's half brother (Paiz's other son, who is 6) on a bed when Paiz went into the bathroom to throw up because he'd been drinking heavily the previous day. When he came out of the bathroom, Paiz said the victim was lying on the floor unresponsive.
    According to the report, Paiz said he'd spanked the boy for not listening to Paiz's girlfriend. During the interview with investigators, Paiz said he "whipped him (the victim) a few times too many. I used a belt, a regular belt. He was being ornery and talking back," according to the affidavit.
    No new charges have been filed against Paiz.