Police arrest boyfriend for baby’s death

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have charged a man with homicide for the death of a 7-month-old infant left in his care.

Tuesday, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 1360 NW 77th Terrace around 1:45 p.m., after Monique Clench called 911 saying the baby, Jazira Darien, had trouble breathing. "It was just slouching and loose and stuff like that, slouching," she said.

Crews transported the infant to the hospital along with his 2-year-old brother, who also suffered from some sort of ailment.

By Thursday morning, following an autopsy on Darien, police arrested 24-year-old Watson Dorval, after concluding the child died of blunt force trauma. Police said Watson was caring for the child while the boy's mother was away. "During that time the infant suffered some blunt trauma to the body," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Bobby Williams, "and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital where subsequently the infant died."

Dorval's sister said her brother is being wrongly accused. "A person who killed a baby aint gonna stay here. You're gonna try your best to get away," said Shelda St. Vil.

Doctors pronounced the infant dead at the hospital, and police began their investigation at the home, questioning Watson and the mother of the children. Late Wednesday night, police picked up the mother, Sabrina Darien, along with Watson for questioning.

On the day of the baby's death, Darien and Watson were defensive about any notion that they might have been at fault for the infant's death. "I didn't do nothing," Watson said to the media and began getting choked up. "I love this baby like my own, so please stop the accusations, so let the autopsy prove it, that's it." He then turned away with tears in his eyes and walked away.

The mother stayed outside to talk to the media and was also defensive. "I'm not an unfit parent," she said. "I'm a good mama, you know what I'm saying? Anyone can tell you that. But I feel bad because I'm losing my kids, and I don't like losing kids at all. I love kids to death."

She also said the baby had pneumonia, but police said the evidence shows otherwise. "The medical examiner has ruled the cause of death blunt trauma, which is a far cry from pneumonia," Williams said.

Her three surviving children are currently in the care of the Department of Children and Families, pending a dependency hearing Friday at 1:30 p.m. In addition to the 2-year-old that had to be hospitalized, Darien has a 9-year-old and a disabled 8-year-old, who was already in the care of DCF.

Neighbors said the mother has been crying out for help in the care of her family. Shante Black, a family friend, said she felt sorry for the mother. "I'm not mad at Sabrina because Sabrina wasn't here," she said. "They said that Sabrina had let him keep the baby. My heart goes out to Sabrina."

Police say more arrests may be made.