Greene man’s hearing continued
CARMICHAELS – A preliminary hearing for a 22-year-old Carmichaels man who was charged Monday with the beating death of his 2-month-old son has been continued until May 10. Samuel Rene Martinez of 121 Park View Knoll, Carmichaels, was arraigned Monday before District Justice Neil Canan on charges of voluntary man-slaughter and two counts each of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person, according to Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox.
The charges stem from the death of Martinez’s 2-month-old son, Arthur Martinez, Sunday night.
On Thursday, Fox declined to comment on the case, and Greene County Coroner Greg Rohanna said no new details are being revealed. The boy’s grandfather, Jeffery Moore of Carmichaels, also declined to comment.
Cumberland Township Police Chief Bill Lewis said his office received a tip that a domestic disturbance was occurring at the Martinez residence Sunday evening.
According to an affidavit filed by patrolman Craig McKenzie, the infant arrived at the Greene County Memorial Hospital at 10:30 p.m. Sunday with “obvious” head injuries. Rohanna said the baby was pronounced dead in the hospital emergency room at 10:50 p.m. Sunday.
McKenzie said Martinez provided police with a written statement Monday, admitting to fracturing the child’s ribs and hitting the infant twice in the face because he was frustrated by the child’s crying Sunday evening. Martinez also admitted that he did not obtain immediate medical treatment for the child, according to the affidavit.
Lewis said that Martinez, a Venezuela native, has resided in the area only six months and has no prior criminal record. He added that the infant was the only child of Martinez and his wife, Typhany Martinez, 18.
Rohanna said Tuesday that the injuries suffered by the child were the “result of trauma of a non-accidental nature.”
Tuesday afternoon, Allegheny Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht, who performed the autopsy, revealed that the child had suffered injuries prior to those he sustained Sunday, but Wecht has since released no further details.
Fox said the state police at Waynesburg assisted Cumberland Township police Sunday, and both continue to investigate the incident. Martinez is being held in the Greene County Jail on $1 million bond.
Members of the Martinez family have established a fund to benefit Greene County Children and Youth Services’ efforts to prevent child abuse. Donations can be made in Arthur Martinez’s name to First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County, 25 E. High St., Waynesburg, Pa. 15370.