Charlotte police say a 27-year-old father has been arrested and charged after his 8-month-old son died from what investigators are calling nonaccidental trauma, turning a family emergency into a homicide investigation.
The infant, identified as Ethan Mato Acosta-Palos, was taken to a hospital after the incident and died on May 6, 2026. Authorities arrested Ethan's father, Nieves Alexander Acosta-Maldonado, on May 13, 2026. He faces charges of murder and felony child abuse and is scheduled to appear in Mecklenburg County court on May 14, 2026.
According to WCNC, first responders found the unresponsive baby at a home on Kirt Court in northeast Charlotte. Detectives later determined the injuries occurred on North Sharon Amity Road on May 3. The outlet reports the child was hospitalized with what detectives described as nonaccidental trauma and died three days later. WCNC says investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police at 704-334-1600.
Charges, arrest and court calendar
Per CMPD, Acosta-Maldonado was booked after an arrest on May 13, 2026, and formally charged with murder and felony child abuse. The department has not released additional details about the evidence or the alleged sequence of events. The case will move through Mecklenburg County's courts as prosecutors review the investigation.
Investigators seek tips and footage
Detectives say they are following leads as they work to determine what happened and whether charges will be expanded, WCNC reports. The outlet notes authorities asked residents in the area to check home surveillance and dashcam video for anything that may help. Tips can be submitted by calling the CMPD tip line at 704-334-1600.
The arrest marks a tragic loss for a family and has neighbors in east Charlotte grappling with the details emerging from the investigation. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and officials say they will release more information as charges and court documents become available. We will update this story when there are new public filings or official statements.
