| For Immediate Release May 16th, 2003 |
Contact: | Susan Kang Schroeder Deputy District Attorney (714) 347-8408 (O) (714) 292-2718 (C) |
Father of Baby Removed From Life Support Machines Charged With Murder and Assault on a Child With Great Bodily Injury Resulting in Death
SANTA ANA – May16, 2003 – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed additional charges against Moises Ibarra, 24, for allegedly killing his baby boy who had been on life support machines for the last 16 months. On a new complaint dated May 15, 2003, Mr. Ibarra is charged with child abuse and endangerment causing great bodily harm, assault on a child resulting in death, and murder.
Baby Ibarra was 3 ½ months old in December 2001, when he was placed on life sustaining machines due to injuries allegedly caused by his father. Mr. Ibarra was previously charged with child abuse causing great bodily harm and corporal injury on a child. After lengthy court procedures, a court ordered baby Ibarra to be taken off life support last Saturday, May 10, 2003. Baby Ibarra expired soon thereafter.
Mr. Ibarra is currently being held at the Orange County Jail on $250,000 bail on the previous charges. If convicted of all charges, Mr. Ibarra faces 25 years to life.
Mr. Ibarra is due to be arraigned on the new complaint in Department C-55 on May 19, 2003, at 8:30 AM. Per the statutory bail schedule, the People intend to request an increase in bail to one million dollars. Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Haskins of the Homicide Unit will be the assigned prosecutor on the case.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas will be holding a press conference at 401 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, immediately following the arraignment to answer questions regarding this case. Please call Susan Schroeder to request an interview slot.
Any requests to have cameras in the courtroom per California Court Rule 980 should be faxed to the public information officer of the Orange County Superior Court, Carole Levitzky, at (714) 568-5783. Ms. Levitzky can be reached at (714) 834-7623.