BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors have not yet filed a formal charge against a man accused of killing a 3-month-old boy in June.
Edward Alexis Martinez-Torres, 21, was arrested last month in connection with capital murder involving the death of a 3-month-old boy.
Martinez-Torres appeared in court Monday for his arraignment, but prosecutors had not filed a formal charge against Martinez-Torres.
Drew Ledbetter, who represents Martinez-Torres, told Circuit Judge Robin Green that a formal charge had not yet been filed against his client. Ledbetter said he had spoken with Nathan Smith, Benton County’s prosecuting attorney, and expects charges to be filed late this week or early next week.
Martinez-Torres is currently being held in the Benton County Jail with a $500,000 bond set.
The judge reset Martinez-Torres’ arraignment for Monday (July 25). The bond issue will also be handled during that hearing.
Bethel Heights police and medical personnel went to 2923 Kings Drive on June 9 after a 911 call concerning a baby not breathing, according court documents.
The child — referred to as "J.R." in the redacted probable cause affidavit — was taken to Northwest Medical Center-Springdale and later transferred to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. Doctors at Children's Hospital determined he suffered a skull fracture, according to court documents.
An autopsy by a medical examiner found the skull fracture was caused by nonimpact "compressive-force,” according to court documents.
Martinez-Torres was dating the child’s mother, according to the probable cause affidavit.