A Santa Ana man initially arrested on suspicion of child abuse is now facing a possible murder charge following the death Tuesday of his girlfriend’s year-old son, police said.

Eduardo Centeno, 25, was arrested after police went to the Royal Roman Motel in the 1500 block of East First Street about 8 a.m. Monday on a report of a child who was not breathing, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

The boy was taken to a hospital and placed on life support, and he died late Tuesday morning, Bertagna said. His name was withheld, pending full family notification.

“The initial investigation and evidence revealed possible child neglect and/or abuse,” Bertagna said. “Homicide detectives were notified and responded to handle the investigation.”

The boy’s mother was questioned and was released, pending further investigation.

Centeno is not the father of the child, Bertagna said. The baby’s father appears to be out of the picture, he said.

–City News Service

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