An Arizona couple is in jail after police found their young son dead in their Scottsdale home. Shaniah Darlene Harris, 25, called 911 on March 24 and told dispatchers her 1-year-old son wasn't breathing. Authorities arrived at the couple's home and found the child's body in a playpen. Sadly, it appeared he had been there for many hours.
According to a police report obtained by 12 News, the child was lying on his back and his body was stiff. He was declared dead at the scene, and police immediately began investigating the parents, and what they learned was shocking.
More from CafeMom: Parents Arrested After Neighbors Rescued Emaciated 10-Year-Old Boy Found Outside Alone
The parents reportedly both spoke to dispatchers.
The mother made the call around 6 p.m. on March 24 shortly after checking on her young son and noticing that he was not breathing, 12 News reported. The baby's father, 25-year-old Bryadon Jesus Pena, allegedly spoke to the dispatcher at one point and refused to try to perform life-saving measures on his son, according to court documents obtained by the news station. Police arrived at the home a short time later.
The apartment was apparently a mess.
After finding the child's body, police reportedly noticed the child appeared to be unwell.
"It should be noted that the apartment was in a general state of disarray and unclean and it was obvious the victim had not been bathed for some time. Scabbing could also be seen on the victims' face, chin and leg, and it is unknown where this is from," according to court documents, per 12 News.
Police sat down with the parents to get a timeline of events.
According to the parents, they put the child down to sleep between 10:30 p.m. March 23 and 2 a.m. March 24. They allegedly didn't check on him for several hours. Pena reportedly told investigators that he left the residence around 10 a.m. to get breakfast for himself and Harris at Burger King but did not check on his son at the time.
The parents apparently went back to sleep.
After eating their meal, Pena and Harris allegedly went back to bed without ever checking on their son. Harris woke around 6 p.m., and that is when she discovered the boy's body. She reportedly told police, "it was odd and unusual that he would make no sounds and sleep that long," per AZ Family.
Police determined through the parents' statements they had not checked on their child in 16 to 20 hours.
Pena reportedly told police he struggled with drugs in the past, though it is unclear whether the parents were under the influence the night the child died.
More from CafeMom: Toddler Runs Over, Kills 2-Year-Old Girl After Dad Left Her Alone in Running Truck
Both parents were jailed on abuse charges.
According to court documents, the Department of Child Safety had previous encounters with the parents while they were raising the child. They were taken into custody and charged with child abuse and neglect.
12 News shared the story on Facebook, and commenters condemned the parents' actions.
Some people had questions.
"What did the baby die from? That is a long time to not check on your baby but most don't die from being in bed for 12-14 hours there has to be a cause that got them arrested," one person asked.
Others prayed for justice.
"More charges better come in this case because what they are facing so far is a slap on the wrist. God Bless this poor sweet innocent baby. May he rest in peace," another person commented.
