Kennewick Police Rule Toddler’s Death Homicide

Kennewick police are investigating after a 2-year-old boy's death last month was ruled a homicide.

No charges have been filed in the case, but documents filed in Benton County Superior Court show police are investigating the crime of "homicide by abuse" in the death of Nicholas Torres.

The Tri-City Herald says police are sorting through conflicting reports from the boy's parents and relatives.

Court records show the toddler had suffered a brain injury from lack of oxygen and had older wounds when he was brought to a Spokane hospital days before Christmas. He died Dec. 26.

The boy's dad, 32-year-old Mario Torres, is in Benton County jail, charged with tampering with a witness. He is accused of telling another son to make up a story about events leading up to the toddler's hospitalization.

The father has pleaded not guilty and has denied causing the boy's injuries.