JALIYAH RIVERA - 4 Months (2010) - Orlando FL

An infant girl was severely injured this week after being left alone with her father.Luis Omar Rivera, 26, faces charges of aggravated child abuse and attempted felony murder after his 4-month-old daughter was hospitalized Thursday.Doctors told Orlando police the infant was likely struck in the head, suffering several skull fractures and had some missing bone fragments.Charges against Rivera could be upgraded if the girl dies.
Rivera's arrest affidavit detailed the events that led to the girl's hospitalization.Rivera's wife told police she left for work about 6:30 a.m. Thursday and her daughter was normal and healthy. She awakened her husband before she left their Semoran Boulevard apartment and told him to watch the baby because she was waking up, the affidavit states.Rivera told investigators he got up to feed the baby and they both fell back asleep in the same bed. When he awakened a short time later, he realized the girl had a dirty diaper. Rivera said he put his daughter on the floor to change her diaper and noticed she was not acting strangely and had stopped breathing.Rivera then called his mother for help, instead of an ambulance, because he said they could not afford to pay for one.When Rivera's mother arrived, she called 911.About the same time, Rivera's wife called to check on the baby and he told her the baby's head was "swollen." Rivera's wife left work and drove home.An ambulance took the infant to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, while Rivera and his wife followed in her car.Once at the hospital, doctors determined the girl's injuries could have been caused from shaking and being hit in the head, the report states. There also was bleeding in her brain, which could be fatal.Rivera was interviewed by police and told them he was the only person home when his daughter was injured, but claims he doesn't know what happened because he was asleep.Rivera was held Friday night without bail at the Orange County Jail.

Police confirmed Monday that a 4-month-old girl who suffered serious injuries while she was left alone with her father died on Friday. Jaliya Rivera suffered at least two blows to the head, causing several skull fractures. Authorities said bone fragments also were missing from her skull.

The girl's father, Luis Omar Rivera, is charged with aggravated child abuse and attempted felony murder. Orlando police homicide detectives are now pursuing a first-degree murder charge against him. Rivera was interviewed by police and told them he was the only person home when his daughter was injured, but claims he doesn't know what happened because he was asleep. Rivera told investigators he got up to feed the baby and they both fell back asleep in the same bed early Thursday morning after his wife left for work.

I received a PM today from somebody connected very close to the baby and her family.
This person wanted all of us associated with J4C that they appreciate our vigilance in seeking justice for Jaliya and all children who are mistreated or murdered by those who should be protecting them.
Thank you for writing and yes, if you would like to post a picture of the little one we would welcome it as a lasting memorial to her short life.
May the peace of our Lord and Savior heal your pain and bring you comfort.

10/04/2011 Status Hearing (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Arnold, C Jeffery)
Mental Health
Parties Present
Result: Hearing Held
10/04/2011 Court Minutes
10/04/2011 Per the Court:
Attorney Sherlene Cruz out Ill. This Hearing to be Reset with Juridical Assistant by Defense Attorney
10/03/2011 CANCELED Status Hearing (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Arnold, C Jeffery)
Cancelled

http://myclerk.myorangeclerk.com/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=7472327

11/17/2011 Status Hearing (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Arnold, C Jeffery)

http://myclerk.myorangeclerk.com/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=7472327

01/31/2012 Status Hearing (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Arnold, C Jeffery)

http://myclerk.myorangeclerk.com/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=7472327