UPDATE JAN. 28: The Clark County Coroner has identified the child as 4-year-old Marcel Foster from Las Vegas. His death was due to multiple blunt force injuries and it was ruled a homicide.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says on Jan. 22 at about 6:06 p.m., an ambulance responded to a home near Lake Mead Boulevard and North Walnut Road after a call of an unresponsive 4-year-old boy.
After the ambulance arrived, authorities say the child was immediately transported to University Medical Center Pediatrics where he was pronounced dead.
LVMPD says physicians examined the boy and found injuries consistent with abuse.
The investigation by the LVMPD Abuse Neglect Section indicates the victim was left home with his stepmother, 29-year-old Patricia Atalig, while his father was at work.
When the victim’s father came home, he found his son unresponsive and called for medical help.
Through the course of the investigation, police say it was determined the child had sustained a head injury earlier in the afternoon.
As a result, Atalig was arrested and transported to Clark County Detention Center on a charge of Open Murder and Child Abuse Resulting in Death.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Abuse Neglect Section at 702-828-3364.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
