O.C. man charged with killing girlfriend’s 18-month-old son

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An Orange County man has been charged with killing his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son by physically abusing the boy when he baby-sat him, prosecutors said.

Cheyenne Mateo Fuimaono, 21, is set to be arraigned Friday on one felony charge each of first-degree murder and assault on a child with force likely to produce great bodily injury resulting in death, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said that, if convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

Fuimaono, who lives in Buena Park, is being held on $1-million bail.

Prosecutors said that on the afternoon of Nov. 30, Fuimaono was allegedly watching the child at the home Fuimaono and his girlfriend shared with his parents. Prosecutors said that Fuimaono is accused of assaulting the child, and shortly after 1:20 p.m., called authorities to report that the baby was not breathing.

Paramedics arrived to find the child lying unconscious. Prosecutors said the responders performed CPR on him, although the boy remained non-responsive and was taken to a hospital. Doctors at the hospital could not revive him, so he was transferred to Children’s Hospital of Orange.

Prosecutors said that doctors there noticed unusual marks and discolorations on the child, including bite marks on his arm and bruising on his neck. The doctors contacted Buena Park police, who began an investigation.

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-- Rick Rojas in Orange County