LCPD: Baby suffering from “shaken baby syndrome,” father charged

Las Cruces Police arrested a 24-year-old man accused of intentionally injuring his 3-month-old daughter.

The girl suffered a head injury that’s left the infant hospitalized in critical condition, police said.

Robin E. Evaro, of the 1900 block of Poplar Avenue, is charged with a first-degree felony count of “Intentional Child Abuse Resulting in Great Bodily Harm.”

Las Cruces Police and other first responders were dispatched to a home on the 800 block of McCoy at about 6 pm Monday, January 30, 2017.

Police said a baby, 3-month-old Athena, lives at the home with her mother, Evaro’s girlfriend. Paramedics found Athena unresponsive, but with no obvious signs of injury, and rushed her to MountainView Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Detectives learned Evaro had agreed to take care of Athena, his biological daughter, on Monday while his girlfriend was at work. During the day, Athena’s mother contacted Evaro at least twice to check up on them and was assured that Athena was fine, police said.

Detectives learned that at about 5:40 p.m., Evaro called his girlfriend to let her know Athena was not doing well. The woman rushed home to find Athena unresponsive.

Police said Evaro told detectives that when he noticed Athena was unresponsive, he tried to splash her with cold water to arouse her. He also claimed to have performed two-handed, adult-style, CPR on the 3-month-old.

An investigation revealed Evaro did not call 911 until after his girlfriend returned home, police said.

LCPD detectives learned from medical professionals that the baby was suffering from internal head injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Athena was transferred to University Medical Center of El Paso where she remains in critical condition.

Evaro was arrested late Monday evening and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.