Santa Ana man faces trial for murdering 9-month-old while babysitting

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: October 19, 2011

Case # 10CF1076: MAN FACES TRIAL FOR MURDERING GIRLFRIEND’S 9-MONTH-OLD SON WHILE BABYSITTING

SANTA ANA – A man faces trial tomorrow for murdering his girlfriend’s 9-month-old son by causing fractures to the child’s skull to make him stop crying. Alexander Lucas Barnes, 20, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of child abuse resulting in death. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at 9:15 a.m. in Department C-30, Central
Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On Oct. 6, 2009, Barnes is accused of babysitting his girlfriend’s 9-month-old baby Isaiah Prim-Ortiz for the first time while his girlfriend went to class at a nearby community college. Barnes is accused of being the primary caregiver for the victim’s care while at the defendant’s mother’s house. The defendant was not baby Isaiah’s biological father.

That morning, the defendant is accused of becoming angry with the victim for crying. He is accused of abusing the baby and causing blunt force trauma to the victim’s head.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., the defendant is accused of putting the baby down for a nap. The defendant’s mother went to
check on baby Isaiah and discovered that he was not breathing.

The victim was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead at 4:00 p.m. as a result of three separate skull
fractures. Barnes is accused of murdering the baby by causing the injuries that resulted in his death.

The Santa Ana Police Department investigated this case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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