Arrest in investigation into death of infant in Hays

By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post

Police have arrested a suspect in the death of a five-month-old boy in Hays on April 2. He is accused of first-degree murder.

According to a Hays Police press release, 28-year-old Abraham Duran Leon of Hays was arrested on June 17.

On April 2 at 12:15 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to Room 206 of the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine St., after it was reported that infant Fernando Leon III was not breathing.

Abraham, Fernando’s father, was also present in the motel room and was arrested for obstructing prosecution before being released several days later, according to Police Chief Don Scheibler.

Hays Police officers arrived as Ellis County EMS was performing CPR on Fernando. He was then transported to Hays Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Hays Police and the Ellis County Coroner’s Office investigated the death. An autopsy report found that the child had methamphetamine in his system and died from complications related to methamphetamine poisoning.

Abraham Leon is currently being held in the Ellis County Jail and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The child’s mother, Brandi Niehoff, who was ruled out as a suspect, had already been convicted in connection with the death of the child’s older brother.

SEE RELATED STORY: Death of Hays infant still under investigation; mother sentenced in death of another son

SEE RELATED STORY: Russell man convicted of murder, child abuse

The investigation into the death of Fernando Leon III is ongoing. Anyone with information should call Detective JB Burkholder at 785-625-1030.