Dad Shakes 4-Month-Old Baby To Death, Injuries Similar To Motor Accident: Police

A 4-month-old Las Vegas boy who died in September was shaken by his father multiple times and suffered brain injuries similar to those obtained in vehicular accidents or contact sports, police said.

Levi Rangel died on Sept. 16 from abusive head trauma, 8 News Now reported, citing the Clark County Coroner's Office. The coroner ruled the child's manner of death a homicide and his parents, Mykeal Rangel and Brooke Lehman, both 20, were charged over the incident.

Mykeal, who faces a first-degree murder charge, among others, brought his son to a fire station near their Leavorite Avenue home on Sept. 10 after the infant went into an unresponsive state. The father allegedly observed Levi had struggled to eat prior to becoming unresponsive.

Levi was later taken to Summerlin Hospital, where he died six days later, a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said. He suffered multiple injuries, including two brain bleeds, rib fractures, blood in the lungs, a possible lacerated spleen and extensive retinal hemorrhages, arresting documents showed.

A doctor at the hospital told authorities that Levi was "shaken and beaten to death," according to a police report. Additionally, the child's bain injuries were consistent with major vehicle accidents or athletes who played high-contact sports.

Mykeal, who claimed he suffered from insomnia, bipolar disorder and depression, later told authorities there were multiple times he "wanted to hurt" Levi, including that day on Sept. 10. He also said he squeezed Levi seven or eight times and shook him two or three times.

"[Mykeal] admitted to becoming severely frustrated with the child. He admitted to shaking the child on multiple occasions. So the proof is evident and the presumption is great that this defendant committed murder," Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Jobe was quoted as saying in court.

The father provided detectives with varying accounts over the course of several interviews until he stated either he or Lehman had killed their son.

Aside from his murder charge, Mykeal was also charged with child abuse or neglect and allowing child abuse or neglect.

Lehman, who is Mykeal's girlfriend, was charged with two counts of allowing child abuse or neglect. Prosecutors argued she had plenty of warning to stop the alleged abuse against her child but ultimately did not intervene.

Mykeal was held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center, while Lehman was released on a $25,000 bail.

Both parents are due to appear in a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 26.