Father Abused, Killed Infant Son: Washington County DA

HILLSBORO, OR — Eric Alexander Valencia was arrested this week in connection with the murder of his infant son. Valencia, 22, is charged with murder, aggravated murder, murder by abuse, strangulation, criminal mistreatment, and assault. He is being held at the Washington County Jail and is ineligible for bail.

According to court documents, Colin James Valencia died after suffering "a pattern and practice of assault and torture" at the hands of his then 21-year-old father. Washington County prosecutors accuse Eric of abusing Colin from the date of his birth, June 27, 2016, right up to the day of his death on Oct. 28, 2017.

In the days immediately following Colin's death, his family posted statements on social media indicating that neither they nor medical examiners were entirely clear on how or why Colin died.

Based on Washington County documents available after a nearly year-long investigation, prosecutors appear to have reason to believe Eric attempted to suffocate Colin when he was roughly one-month-old and bit him at some point, which caused physical harm, prior to actually taking his life.

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Nearly two dozen people reportedly testified before a Washington County Grand Jury earlier this month, allowing Washington Country District Attorney Kevin Barton to file an indictment Oct. 12. Eric was arrested four days later.

Eric on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Image via Washington County Sheriff's Office