Infant taken off life support

Police allege father of Manteca boy might have inflicted critical injuries

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

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The family of a 3-month-old Manteca boy chose to remove him from life support Friday at a hospital in Madera County. His father remained in custody at San Joaquin County Jail suspected of inflicting the infant's critical injuries, police said.

Manteca police spokesman Rex Osborn said the infant clinged to life Friday night, but his vital signs were deteriorating and he was not likely to recover.

Police arrested Michael David Zamarripa, 25, of Manteca last week on suspicion of felony child abuse and endangerment, along with felony child abuse and corporal injury that resulted in great bodily injury, Osborn said.

Zamarripa's bail is set at $550,000.

The boy initially was checked into Doctors Hospital of Manteca on Sept. 28, critically injured with symptoms of shaken baby syndrome, Osborn said. He said the baby later was airlifted to an infant critical care unit at Children's Hospital Central California, where his mother remained at his side Friday night.

The boy's mother is not a suspect. Osborn said Zamarripa could be charged with murder if the baby dies.

Osborn said Zamarripa has a criminal history that includes several burglary charges and domestic violence. He is scheduled to appear in the Manteca branch of San Joaquin County Superior Court on Oct. 15.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.