Police arrested Rafael Santos after medical personnel found significant trauma while treating his 7-month-old daughter.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A 38-year-old Mission Valley man was jailed on suspicion of murder and child abuse after his 7-month-old daughter died at a San Diego hospital following a 911 call from the family’s apartment, authorities said.
Rafael Santos called 911 at about 6:34 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and reported that his daughter was unresponsive and not breathing at the family’s home in the 1400 block of Hotel Circle North, according to the San Diego Police Department. Officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department paramedics responded and began emergency medical treatment.
The infant was taken by ambulance to Rady Children’s Hospital, where she died shortly after midnight Tuesday. Police said medical personnel found significant trauma while treating and evaluating the child. Those findings led detectives from the department’s Child Abuse and Homicide units to begin a pediatric death investigation.
Investigators said their preliminary findings indicated the baby died at the hands of another person. Police arrested Santos and booked him into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder and child abuse causing death. An arrest on suspicion of a crime is not a determination of guilt, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
The child’s name had not been publicly released as of Wednesday. Authorities also had not released details describing the injuries or explaining when investigators believe they occurred. Police have not publicly disclosed a motive or provided a detailed account of the events before Santos called for emergency help.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to determine the official cause and manner of the girl’s death. That finding is separate from the preliminary conclusions reached by police and could provide additional information about the injuries and circumstances surrounding the death.
Santos was being held without bail at San Diego Central Jail, according to published reports citing authorities. His arraignment was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The filing of formal criminal charges and their precise wording will be determined through the court process.
Detectives continued investigating Wednesday and asked anyone with information about the case to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit or San Diego County Crime Stoppers. Police had not announced any additional arrests or released further details about the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
Author note: Last updated September 23, 2026.