SAN ANTONIO – Ricardo Hernandez, 21, told San Antonio police he killed his girlfriend's 4-year-old son out of frustration about not being able to find a job and having bills piling up, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
It stated that he also said he was stressed out from caring for the victim, Jordan Altamirano, and his three siblings.
Jordan was unresponsive when he was brought to a hospital Saturday. The affidavit stated that doctors there discovered he had suffered a broken back and torn aorta.
Police said they questioned both the child's mother and Hernandez and determined that Hernandez had been caring for the child.
The affidavit stated that he initially told investigators that Jordan had come to him complaining about a stuffy nose, and he told the child to go to bed and rest. He said he later found him unresponsive.
However, investigators said the story did not match the injuries the child suffered. They said Hernandez later admitted that he had thrown the boy against a sofa.
According to the affidavit, Hernandez became frustrated when the child came to him, crying and wanting attention. He said after he shoved the boy, the child was able to get up and walk to bed, but stopped breathing later.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Hernandez was booked into jail on a capital murder charge with bond set at $500,000.