Boy allegedly abused dies of injuries

PHOENIX -- A 6-year-old boy who allegedly was abused by his parents before he was taken to a hospital last week has died, Phoenix police said Monday.

Jacob Gibson died Sunday morning, according to a release from Sgt. Trent Crump.

"The Phoenix Police Department will work with the county attorney's office this week to review appropriate charges, as both suspects are being held," Crump said.

The boy's parents, 37-year-old Jennifer Paul and 49-year-old Benny Gibson, have been in jail since last Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse.

Crump said investigators were called to a Phoenix apartment complex in the early hours last Monday after a report that a child in the home was not breathing.

Upon arrival, investigators found the boy was having convulsions.

The child had extensive bruising to his chest, legs, sides and back, police said, adding that imprint markings on his back appeared to have been caused by a belt buckle and possibly a wire hanger. Investigators believe it's possible the child's head was slammed against a bedroom door at some point.

The parents gave many conflicting reports of what caused the injuries to the child.

On Tuesday, detectives developed probable cause to arrest both parents for child abuse.

The Arizona Republic reported CPS has investigated at least five allegations of child abuse involving the couple over the past four years.

The most recent investigation included allegations that the boy had head injuries.

CPS officials also launched three prior investigations into allegations of abuse against Jacob in 2007, 2009 and 2010.