On July 2, 2018, Gwinnett County Police Department officers responded to Kaiser Emergency Care, 3650 Steve Reynolds Blvd, unincorporated Duluth, in reference to baby that wasn’t breathing.  No foul play was suspected at the time.  The baby, Mayalen Rios (H/F, 2 months old) was transported to Scottish Rite hospital.

Later the same day, medical personnel from Scottish Rite contacted GCPD and advised they believed Mayalen’s injuries were not accidental.  Detectives were contacted and took over the investigation.  On July 3, 2018, Mayalen’s father, Hiker Rios (H/M, 22 years old) of Lilburn, was charged with first degree cruelty to children.  He was arrested without incident.

On July 4, 2018, Mayalen was pronounced dead.  Medical personnel advised detectives the victim had injury consistent with shaken baby syndrome.  An autopsy was performed today, July 6, 2018.  The victim’s death was ruled a homicide and detectives obtained a warrant against Hiker Rios for felony murder.  He remains in custody at the Gwinnett County Detention Center.