Father Arrested After Newborn Baby Found Dead In East County Home

SPRING VALLEY, CA — A father was arrested after his newborn baby was found dead at a home in San Diego's East County, authorities said.

Deputies and paramedics responded to reports of a battery around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday at a home in the 500 block of Sacramento Ave. in Spring Valley, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

First responders found a newborn boy unconscious on the living room floor, suffering from trauma to his head, sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy's father, David Ruiz, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder, Krugh said.

"At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances surrounding this tragic homicide are still unclear," Krugh said. "Sheriff's homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the facts of the case."

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. To remain anonymous, call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.