On May 11, 2017, just after 3:30 p.m., Tucson Police officers and members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to a report of an unresponsive child, 10-month-old Jose Valenzuela, inside an apartment at 2800 S. Mission Rd. Paramedics were first on scene and immediately transported the child to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening-injuries.
The mother, 25-year-old Salma Rodriguez, and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Ivan Portillo Herrera, also responded to the hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, officers learned the child had been on the couch when he rolled off, hitting the carpeted floor. When the child became unresponsive, the mother called 911. Doctors advised the child had significant new and old injuries that were not consistent with a fall from a couch.
Detectives learned the child had new and old injuries consistent with abusive head trauma. Rodriguez was arrested for two counts of Child Abuse – a Class 2 Felony. Portillo Herrera was arrested for one count of Child Abuse – a Class 2 Felony. They were both transported and booked into the Pima County Jail.
On May 14, 2017 detectives learned the child succumbed to injuries was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Next of kin has been notified. Additional charges are pending as detectives continue the investigation.