By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post
Police have arrested a suspect on charges of second-degree murder for the death of a 5-month-old boy on April 2 in Hays.
According to a media release from the Hays Police Department, 28-year-old Abraham Duran Leon of Hays was arrested on June 17.
Emergency personnel were dispatched at 12:15 p.m. on April 2 to Room 206 at the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine St., responding to a report that Fernando Leon III, an infant, was not breathing.
Abraham, the father of Fernando, was also present in the motel room and was arrested for interference with law enforcement before being released days later, according to Chief of Police Don Scheibler.
Hays police officers arrived as Ellis County EMS was performing CPR on Fernando. He was then transported to Hays Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
The Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Coroner's office investigated the death. An autopsy report revealed the child had methamphetamine in his system and died from complications related to methamphetamine intoxication.
Abraham Leon is currently held in the Ellis County Jail and is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The child's mother, Brandi Niehoff, who has been ruled out as a suspect, was previously convicted in connection with the death of the child's older brother.
The investigation into the death of Fernando Leon III continues and anyone with information should call Detective J.B. Burkholder at 785-625-1030.