Suspect Identified In Alleged Assault On Baby

A five-month-old baby is fighting for his life in hospital after he was brutally beaten last weekend, police say.

Someone brought the child to Sick Kids Hospital on Sunday with life-threatening injuries and told doctors there had been an accident. Staff and police soon realized the baby had been deliberately hurt.

Detectives believe the assault happened late Saturday or Sunday at a highrise apartment building near Black Creek and Trethewey drives. They are now searching for a 21-year-old Toronto man, Ronnie Munoz-Hernandez, whom police believe was the only one at the home when the baby was attacked.

“Please turn yourself in Mr. Munoz,” Det. Sgt Colin Greenaway said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“Get yourself a lawyer and turn yourself in to 12 Division as soon as you can, please … The reason for the media release today is just in case he’s trying to make good his escape. I ask – in case he’s on a plane, a train, a cab, a bus – please look to your left and to your right.”

According to neighbours, the baby’s family had only been living in their apartment for a few days.

Munoz-Hernandez, who was the only one believed to watching the child at the time, is a family friend. 

The child’s mother is not a suspect.

“The mother is with family,” confirmed the baby’s aunt.  “With our support we are staying strong, she’s not a bad mother, she trusted this person.”

“(The baby) went through three hours of brain surgery, right now he’s on life-support.”

Munoz-Hernandez is white, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 140 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He may be using his 26-year-old brother, David’s identification.

Because the baby might not survive, the homicide squad is assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.