On August 12, Tucson Police Department officers responded to the 1200 block of South Turquoise Vista for a report of an unresponsive 2-month old boy. Upon arrival, Tucson Fire Department was on the scene and the baby was immediately transported to a local area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Hospital staff contacted Tucson Police soon after and advised the injuries to the child were non-accidental in nature.
Detectives from the Dependent Child Unit responded to continue the investigation. They discovered that the baby’s father had just recently moved back into the home with the mother and the baby. Detectives determined that the father grew frustrated with the baby and shook him multiple times over a month long period. The baby sustained serious internal injuries from being shaken. The father, 22-year old Fayde Riggin, was booked into the Pima County Jail for 1 count of Child Abuse.
On August 19, 2013, the baby succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 2-month old Mavrik Riggin. Detectives added 1 count of 1st Degree Murder to Riggin’s previous charge of Child Abuse. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
TPD reminds parents that it only takes a few seconds of shaking to cause permanent damage. Anyone caring for a child should know that if a baby will not stop crying, it is okay to put the baby down in a safe place (like a crib) and take a short break to calm down.