Cranston Man Charged with Murder for Shaking Death of 3-Month-Old

CRANSTON, RI—A 24-year-old Cranston man is facing murder charges in connection with the death of his three-month-old son.

Police said Elias Romero, 24, of 309 Station St., was arrested on July 7 after an investigation that began immediately after Cranston Fire Department rescue personnel responded to a report of a baby not breathing.

Police said that officers arrived as firefighters were treating the child, telling them that the child wasn't breathing and would be transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital.

The department's Special Victims Unit and Criminal Investigations Unit began investigating. Meanwhile, doctors at Hasbro told detectives that the child had regained a pulse but was not able to breathe on his own.

"Medical personnel from Hasbro Children’s Hospital also advised detectives that the injuries sustained by the child were consistent with abuse, more specifically abusive head trauma (previously referred to as shaken baby syndrome)," police said in a news release.

During the investigation, police determined that Romero was home alone caring for the child and caused the injuries.

He was arrested on a charge of first-degree child abuse and arraigned before a justice of the peace at police headquarters on July 7. Bail was set at $250,000 with surety.

Two days later, the infant died.

Now, police said they will be charging Romero with a count of murder and he will be presented at Kent County District Court on July 11 for arraignment.

He is currently being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

“This is a tragic incident that weighs heavily on the hearts of not only the child’s family, but also the entire Cranston Police Department," said Cranston Police Chief Col. Micheal J. Winquist Jr. "I commend the detectives who handled this case, which was difficult on so many fronts. They are parents of young children themselves and maintained their professionalism, composure and empathy throughout the course of the investigation. I also want to thank the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office for their assistance.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with funeral expenses.