19-year-old father indicted for murder, child abuse after death of 6-week-old son in Mesa

PHOENIX — A 19-year-old man has been indicted in connection with the death of his 6-week-old son, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) announced Tuesday.

Arnold Barney was arrested after the death of his son, which happened in late July.

New details of infant’s death that led to father being indicted

Barney had been left with his son while the child’s mother went to the grocery store with her family on July 28, according to a media release from MCAO.

When they returned to the apartment complex near Alma School Road and Southern Avenue from the store, the child was not breathing.

The infant was taken to a nearby hospital and died the next morning.

Medical staff noticed the child had a bruised and swollen face and internal injuries, including bleeding in his brain.

MCAO said that Barney told detectives multiple stories before saying he hit the infant multiple times because he wouldn’t stop crying.

Barney also told police he wrapped the child in a blanket, propped a bottle up for him and then went into the next room to watch TV while the child continued to cry.

He was indicted on one count of first-degree murder and one count of child abuse.

Barney is being held on a $1 million secured bond. His trial is currently scheduled for April 2026.

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